Outdoor burning rules in Richmond, 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.
Open burning is prohibited in Richmond under Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Regulation 5 and Richmond Municipal Code fire provisions. Residential yard-waste burning, trash burning, and agricultural burning are not permitted within city limits. Violators face BAAQMD fines and Richmond Fire Department enforcement, with additional scrutiny given proximity to the Chevron refinery.
Richmond lies within the BAAQMD jurisdiction, which enforces Regulation 5 (Open Burning) across all nine Bay Area counties including Contra Costa. Under BAAQMD Reg 5, Rule 3, residential burning of leaves, yard debris, or trash is banned year-round in urbanized areas such as Richmond. The Richmond Fire Department (not Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, which serves other parts of the county) enforces open-burn prohibitions within city limits. California Public Resources Code Section 4423 imposes up to a $1,000 fine and/or six months in jail for illegal outdoor burning during declared fire seasons. Richmond's industrial character, including the Chevron refinery and associated hazmat buffer zones, makes open burning especially hazardous and subject to additional enforcement. Recreational campfires are restricted to improved fire rings in designated East Bay Regional Park District facilities. Ceremonial or cooking fires require specific permitting from Richmond Fire Prevention Division. During Spare the Air alerts issued by BAAQMD, even permitted recreational burning may be suspended. Residents should use green-waste collection through Richmond Sanitary Service rather than burning, and may face both municipal citations and BAAQMD civil penalties for violations.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Contra Costa County.
See how other cities in Contra Costa County handle outdoor burning.
See how Richmond's outdoor burning rules stack up against other locations.
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