Outdoor burning rules in Riverside, 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 of yard waste, trash, or vegetation is prohibited in Riverside under South Coast AQMD Rule 444 and RMC Chapter 8.04.
Riverside falls within the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). SCAQMD Rule 444 prohibits open burning of agricultural, landscape, or refuse materials throughout the district, and Riverside Municipal Code Chapter 8.04 (Fire Code amendments) reinforces this with municipal enforcement. Permitted exceptions include ceremonial fires with a Fire Department permit, cooking fires in approved appliances (see backyard-fires topic), and firefighter training burns. No-burn days announced by SCAQMD on winter high-PM days also apply to wood-burning fireplaces and fire pits. Violations are reportable to SCAQMD (1-800-CUT-SMOG) and Riverside Fire (951-826-5321). California Air Resources Board enforces statewide parallel restrictions under Title 17 CCR.
SCAQMD Rule 444 violations carry civil penalties up to $10,000 per day; Riverside Fire can additionally issue citations and abatement orders; repeat violations can be misdemeanors.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Riverside County.
See how other cities in Riverside County handle outdoor burning.
See how Riverside's outdoor burning rules stack up against other locations.
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