Contra Costa County, CA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (ConFire/CCCFPD) enforces California Fire Code Chapter 3 as adopted by county ordinance, which requires a written permit from the fire marshal for any outdoor fire other than a small recreational fire or approved cooking fire. Residential burning of leaves, grass, garden trimmings, and construction debris is prohibited under Bay Area Air Quality Management District Regulation 5 (Open Burning), Rule 3, which covers all nine Bay Area counties including Contra Costa. Agricultural and rangeland burning may be allowed only on CAL FIRE and BAAQMD-declared permissive burn days, with a valid burn permit, and only in designated agricultural zoning. From November 1 through February 28, BAAQMD issues Spare the Air alerts that ban all wood burning (fireplaces, stoves, outdoor fires) regardless of fuel or device. Illegal outdoor burning during declared fire season is a misdemeanor under Public Resources Code 4423 punishable by up to six months jail and a $1,000 fine. Unincorporated areas in the East County foothills (Morgan Territory, Marsh Creek, Byron, Clayton fringe) fall in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones where additional CAL FIRE restrictions apply.