Nevada County, CA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Nevada County, CA, also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance, set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Key Facts
- When allowed
- Permissive burn days only (NSAQMD declares daily)
- Burn-day line
- (530) 274-7928 / myairdistrict.com
- Fire permit
- Free CAL FIRE residential burn permit; renew on/after May 1
- Allowed material
- Dry vegetation grown on-site, down 3-6 weeks
- Prohibited
- Trash, treated wood, cardboard, tires, burn barrels
- Large piles
- Burns over 1 acre need a District air-pollution permit
Summary
Open burning of dry vegetation in unincorporated Nevada County is allowed only on declared "permissive burn days" set by the Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District (NSAQMD) and requires a CAL FIRE residential burn permit (required from May 1 each year). Only dry vegetation grown on the property may be burned; trash, treated wood, and burn barrels are illegal.
Prior to commencement of open burning, the resident must ensure that it is a permissive burn day. Open burning shall not be conducted within fifty (50) feet (fifteen and twenty-five one-hundredths (15.25) meters) of any structure.
Full Breakdown
Outdoor (open) burning in unincorporated Nevada County is jointly controlled by air-quality rules and fire rules. and is available on the burn-day line at (530) 274-7928. for good smoke dispersion. Only dry vegetation that originated on the property may be burned, and it must be sufficiently dry - down and drying for at least three to six weeks - so it ignites readily and produces minimal smoke. Prohibited materials include household trash, cardboard, plywood, treated lumber, tires, and burn barrels; in Western Nevada County, piles made primarily of unattached leaves and pine needles are not allowed (these may make up only a small fraction of a pile).
gov), reapplied for each year on or after May 1, and CAL FIRE suspends burning during high-danger periods. Even on a legal burn day, causing a smoke nuisance to neighbors is a violation, and burn projects larger than one acre need a separate District air-pollution permit.
Violations & Fines
Burning on a no-burn day, burning prohibited materials, or creating a smoke nuisance violates NSAQMD rules (including the District nuisance rule) and can result in penalties. Burning without a required CAL FIRE permit, or during a CAL FIRE suspension, is separately enforceable, and an escaped fire exposes the responsible party to suppression-cost liability. Confirm current penalty amounts with NSAQMD and CAL FIRE.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I can burn today in Nevada County?
What can I legally burn outdoors?
Do I need a permit to burn yard debris?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nevada County
How Nevada County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Nevada County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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