Outdoor burning rules in San Francisco, 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.
San Francisco Fire Code Section 307 and Bay Area Air Quality Management District rules ban open outdoor burning of yard waste, debris, and trash citywide. Recreational fire features have narrow exceptions under SFFD permit.
SF prohibits open burning of leaves, branches, construction debris, and household waste at all times. BAAQMD Regulation 5 enforces a permanent residential burn ban across all nine Bay Area counties. Spare-the-Air winter days extend the ban to wood-burning fireplaces and stoves under SF Health Code amendments. Permitted exceptions include enclosed propane or natural gas fire features, ceremonial fires under SFFD permit, and beach bonfires only at Ocean Beach in established fire rings. SFFD investigates smoke complaints and BAAQMD issues per-incident fines starting at 100 dollars and rising for repeat offenses.
Burning yard waste, trash, or construction debris; using wood fireplaces on Spare-the-Air days; and unpermitted outdoor wood fires draw BAAQMD fines and SFFD enforcement.
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco regulates noise under Police Code Article 29 (Sections 2900-2920), administered by the Department of Public Health and enforced by SFPD. Quiet ...
San Francisco, CA
Fence height in San Francisco is regulated by Planning Code Section 136 (Permitted Obstructions in Required Setbacks, Yards, and Usable Open Space), administ...
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco's Planning Code permits residential lawn ornaments, statuary, and religious or political displays without permit so long as no structure exceed...
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco does not regulate residential inflatable holiday decorations by size or type. Standard Police Code Article 29 noise rules apply to motor blower...
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco has no ordinance restricting when residents may put up or take down holiday lights. Standard rules from Police Code Article 29 (noise) and Plan...
San Francisco, CA
Built-in outdoor kitchens in San Francisco require building permits whenever the project includes new electrical, plumbing, gas piping, or a fixed structure ...
See how San Francisco's outdoor burning rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.