Tulare County, CA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Tulare 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
- Trash/rubbish burning
- Prohibited (Code 7-15-1130(f) amending CFC 307.1.1)
- Residential yard waste
- Generally not allowed (SJVAPCD Rule 4103)
- Foothill/SRA burning
- CAL FIRE residential burn permit, valid May 1-April 30
- Burn-day check
- Must be a permissive burn day (SJVAPCD: 1-800-665-2876)
- Fire season
- CAL FIRE suspends SRA burn permits during high fire danger
Summary
Outdoor burning of waste, rubbish, and trash is prohibited in unincorporated Tulare County. Residential yard-waste burning is generally not allowed under San Joaquin Valley air rules. In the foothills/mountains (State Responsibility Area), permitted residential and agricultural burning requires a CAL FIRE burn permit, a permissive burn day, and is suspended during fire season.
Burn permits within the State Responsibility Area can be applied for online through CAL FIRE's Burn Permit website. Burn permits are required for Hazard Reduction Burning by both California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD). Only dry, natural vegetation such as leaves, pine needles and tree trimmings may be burned; the burning of trash, wood or other debris isn't allowed. Burn piles should be no larger than four feet in diameter and in height; a 10 foot diameter perimeter should be created around the burn area.
Full Breakdown
Two layers of law control outdoor burning in unincorporated Tulare County. 1 to expressly prohibit open burning of waste, rubbish, trash, and processed materials. Second, air quality is regulated by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD), whose Rule 4103 (Open Burning) has phased out most open burning; residential burning of leaves, prunings, and yard waste is generally not permitted, and trees and vines grown for personal use are not eligible to burn. Agricultural burning requires an SJVAPCD permit, is limited to approved materials, and is allowed only on District-declared permissive burn days.
In the foothill/mountain State Responsibility Area (SRA), Three Rivers, Springville, Camp Nelson and similar communities, CAL FIRE issues residential burn permits valid on a yearly cycle (May 1-April 30); CAL FIRE has partnered with SJVAPCD so an SRA permit covers both agencies' requirements. During elevated fire danger, CAL FIRE suspends all burn permits in Tulare County's SRA, and burning resumes only when the suspension is lifted. Always confirm it is a permissive burn day before lighting any fire.
Violations & Fines
Burning prohibited materials or burning without a required permit is an infraction under the adopted Fire Code (Code Section 7-15, penalty per Code Section 125) and can carry SJVAPCD penalties for air-quality violations. An escaped fire makes the responsible party liable for fire-suppression costs under Health & Safety Code 13009.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn leaves or yard trimmings at my unincorporated Tulare County home?
I live in Three Rivers / Springville: how do I burn legally?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tulare County
How Tulare County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Tulare County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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