Palm Springs, CA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Palm Springs, 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
- Wind/humidity trigger
- Winds over 8 mph and humidity under 25%
- Absolute wind cap
- 20 mph, no outdoor fire of any fuel type
- Rubbish burning
- Approved incinerator only
- Enforcement authority
- Fire Code Official; PSFD
- Penalty
- Infraction, or misdemeanor for failure to abate
Summary
Palm Springs' Fire Code amendments ban outdoor wood or solid-fuel fires whenever sustained winds top 8 mph with humidity under 25 percent, a red-flag condition is declared, or the Fire Code Official posts a warning; above 20 mph winds, no outdoor fire of any fuel type is allowed. Rubbish and trash may only be burned in an approved incinerator.
305.6 Hazardous Conditions. ... Outdoor fires burning wood or other solid fuel are not allowed when any of the following conditions applies: 1. When predicted sustained winds exceeds 8 MPH and relative humidity is less than 25% or a red flag condition has been declared. 2. When an official sign was caused to be posted by the Fire Code Official, or a public announcement is made. 3. No outdoor fires using any fuel type are permitted when predicted sustained winds exceed 20 MPH or when such fires present a hazard as determined by the Fire Code Official. ... 305.7 Disposal of Rubbish. ... Rubbish, trash or combustible waste material shall be burned only within an approved incinerator and in accordance with Section 307.2.1.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4923139; v14 updated 2026-06-24).
Full Breakdown
6, Hazardous Conditions, which prohibits outdoor fires burning wood or other solid fuel when predicted sustained winds exceed 8 mph and relative humidity is under 25 percent, or a red-flag condition has been declared; when the Fire Code Official has posted an official sign or made a public announcement; and, as an absolute ceiling, whenever predicted sustained winds exceed 20 mph, at which point no outdoor fire of any fuel type, gas or solid, is permitted regardless of humidity. 1; open burning of household waste in a yard or lot is not an option.
Section 307's title is amended to read "Open Burning, Recreational Fires, Fire Pits, Fire Rings, and Portable Outdoor Fireplaces," folding backyard fire features into the same open-burning framework rather than treating them separately. 2 separately bars welding, cutting torches, tar pots and similar spark-producing equipment in or near Wildfire Risk Areas without 30 feet of cleared flammable material and on-site fire tools.
Violations & Fines
Section 8.04.510 adds subsection 113.4.1.2: a person operating or maintaining premises who permits a fire or life-safety hazard to exist is guilty of an infraction, and a person who fails to take immediate action to abate the hazard after being ordered to by the Fire Chief or a duly authorized representative is guilty of a misdemeanor. Amended subsection 113.4 makes each day a violation continues after due notice a separate offense, applying the enforcement scheme of Title 1 of the Municipal Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is outdoor wood burning banned in Palm Springs?
Can I burn yard waste or trash outside in Palm Springs?
What happens if I keep an outdoor fire going after being warned?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Springs
How Palm Springs compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Palm Springs to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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Outdoor Burning in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle outdoor burning.