Outdoor burning rules in Sonoma 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.
Open burning of vegetation in unincorporated Sonoma County requires a current, valid burn permit from Permit Sonoma plus a permissive burn day from the local air district. Piles are limited to 4 feet in diameter and height, must be cleared 10 feet to bare soil, attended by an adult, and contain only dry natural vegetation - never trash.
Outdoor (open) burning in unincorporated Sonoma County requires two approvals: a fire burn permit from Permit Sonoma and confirmation that it is a permissive (legal) burn day from your air district. Permit Sonoma notes that 'current and valid agriculture and residential burn permits' are required and that burning is suspended during high-fire-danger periods (the suspension was most recently lifted November 1, 2024).
Permit Sonoma's rules are specific: piles 'should be no larger than four feet in diameter and in height'; you must 'clear a 10 foot diameter down to bare soil around your piles'; an adult must attend the fire at all times; keep a shovel and water source nearby; and 'do NOT burn on windy days.' Only dry, natural vegetative material - leaves, pine needles, tree trimmings - may be burned. 'The burning of trash, painted wood or other debris is not allowed.'
Air quality is regulated separately. Residents must 'verify it is a permissive burn day prior to burning by contacting their local air pollution control district.' The southern County is in the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD, (415) 771-6000); the northern County is in the Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District ((707) 433-5911), where burn permits are required year-round. Permissive burn days are posted on each district's website. Given Sonoma County's wildfire history, these rules are enforced strictly and burning can be suspended county-wide on short notice.
Burning without a valid Permit Sonoma burn permit, on a non-permissive burn day, with an oversized pile (over 4 ft), without a 10-foot bare-soil clearance, or burning prohibited materials (trash, painted wood, debris) violates County open-burning rules and can trigger county and air-district penalties.
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