Placentia, CA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Section 8.04.080 of the Placentia Municipal Code, part of the Placentia Solid Waste Collection Ordinance, bars burning solid waste, recyclable material or organic materials within the City of Placentia, except as expressly permitted in Chapter 8.46 and the California Fire Code. Subsection (b) reaches anyone who ignites or otherwise causes the burning, and also anyone who assists, counsels, procures or maintains it, so the person who lights the fire and the person who keeps it going both violate the chapter.

The Fire Code amendments in Section 18.04.050 fill in the rest. Amended Fire Code section 305.6 allows rubbish, trash or combustible waste material to be burned only within an approved incinerator and in accordance with Section 307.2.1. Section 307.6 covers outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and fire rings at Group R occupancies and exempts barbeques, grills and other portable devices intended solely for cooking. Gas-fueled devices need approval from the Building Department and must burn only a gas flame, with combustible construction and vegetation kept three feet from the device at R-3 occupancies and ten feet at other R occupancies. Burning wood or other solid fuel in a device is not allowed within 25 feet of combustible structures unless it is within an approved permanent fireplace. Portable fireplaces and fire rings with a spark arrester sit at least 3 feet from combustible construction at R-3 occupancies and at least 15 feet from combustible structures at other R occupancies.

Section 307.6.2.1 bars burning wood and other solid fuels within a fuel modification zone, Wildfire Risk Area or Wildland-Urban Interface Area, or where conditions could spread fire to one. The exceptions are permanent fireplaces outside a fuel modification zone and locations or designs the Fire Code Official determines should reasonably prevent the start of a wildfire. Section 304.1.3 separately requires owners and occupants to cut down and remove weeds, grass, vines or other growth capable of being ignited.