National City, CA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Section 15.28.085 of the National City Municipal Code amends Subsection 307.4.1 of the 2025 California Fire Code, in the chapter on open burning, recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces, to read that bonfires are strictly prohibited within the City limits. The text contains no permit route, acreage limit or seasonal window; the prohibition is written as a flat rule for the whole city.

The City Council explains the local departure in Section 15.28.002. It found that the dry Southern California climate and the geographical and topographical conditions in National City reasonably necessitate specific changes to the 2025 California Fire Code, citing Health and Safety Code Sections 17958.7 and 18941.5, and pointing to the age and concentration of structures and the increased risk of conflagration spread. Section 15.28.010 adopts the 2025 California Fire Code and its appendices, along with the National Fire Protection Association standards in their current edition, for the city.

Trash burning is covered by a different part of the code. Section 7.10.030, in the Property Conservation and Community Appearance Code, says it is unlawful for any person to bury or burn, or cause to be buried or burned, any garbage or rubbish on property owned by or under the control of that person, or upon any public street, alley, public place, vacant property or any premises within the city.

Enforcement sits with the Community Risk Reduction Bureau in the National City fire department, run under the supervision of the Chief, with the Division Chief and Fire Marshal in charge (Section 15.28.020). Orders and decisions of the Fire Marshal can be appealed to an ad hoc three-member Board of Appeals, whose decision can go to the City Council within thirty days by written notice filed with the Chief of the fire department (Section 15.28.140).