San Diego, CA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in San Diego, 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.
Key Facts
- Bonfire setback
- 50 feet from structures
- Exception
- contained in a barbecue pit
- Red-Flag suspension
- all open burning halted
- Enforcing agency
- SD Fire-Rescue Department
Summary
San Diego bans bonfires within 50 feet of a structure unless contained in a barbecue pit, and suspends all open burning citywide during a National Weather Service Red-Flag Warning or Fire Weather Watch.
A bonfire shall not be conducted within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of a structure or combustible material unless the fire is contained in a barbecue pit. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition... Open burning, including recreational fires and fires within portable outdoor fireplaces, shall not be permitted when a Red-Flag Warning or a Fire Weather Watch condition has been issued by the National Weather Service, except for fires in beach areas complying with San Diego Municipal Code section 63.20.5.
Full Breakdown
Under the local Fire Code, a bonfire cannot be conducted within 50 feet of a structure or combustible material unless it's in a barbecue pit, and any fire-spread hazard within that 50-foot zone must be cleared before ignition. Separately, the Fire Code Official suspends all open burning, recreational fires, and portable-fireplace use citywide the moment the National Weather Service issues a Red-Flag Warning or Fire Weather Watch, with a narrow exception for compliant beach fires under SDMC § 63.20.5. The Fire-Rescue Department enforces both rules.
Violations & Fines
Fire-Rescue and code enforcement can order a bonfire extinguished on the spot for violating the 50-foot/barbecue-pit rule, and citywide Red-Flag burn suspensions are enforced as fire-code violations subject to citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a bonfire in my backyard in San Diego?
What happens to backyard fires during a Red-Flag Warning?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego
How San Diego compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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Outdoor Burning in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Diego County handle outdoor burning.