Outdoor burning rules in San Leandro, 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, leaves, brush, or trash is effectively banned in San Leandro. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District Regulation 5 (Open Burning) prohibits residential open burning year-round in urbanized Alameda County, and California Fire Code §307 (adopted by SLMC §7-5-810) requires permits for any open fire.
San Leandro residents cannot lawfully conduct backyard open burning of vegetation or trash. (1) BAAQMD Regulation 5 (Open Burning, 2025 amendment effective Oct 1, 2025) regulates all open burning in the 9-county Bay Area. Regulation 5-401 prohibits open burning of garbage, tires, plastics, treated wood, and similar materials at all times. Regulation 5-301 permits only narrow categories - reduction of fire hazards in undeveloped areas, agricultural burning in designated agricultural areas (San Leandro has none), fire training, and flood-control burns - and only on Air District-declared 'permissive burn days' during a spring season (Mar 1 - Apr 15) and fall season (Sept 1 - Oct 15). General residential yard-waste burning is NOT a permitted category in incorporated urban areas. (2) California Fire Code §307.1 (adopted by SLMC §7-5-810 via the 2022 California Fire Code) requires the Fire Code Official's written permit before any open burning, and Alameda County Fire (the local fire authority) does not issue residential yard-waste permits in San Leandro. (3) Recreational fires (under 3 ft diameter, 2 ft tall) and ceremonial fires are governed separately under CFC §307.4 and may proceed without a permit subject to setbacks - BUT not on any Spare the Air Alert day (BAAQMD Reg 6-3). Residents must use Alameda County's green-cart (organics) collection or StopWaste's curbside programs to dispose of yard waste.
BAAQMD open-burning violations are misdemeanors under California Health & Safety Code §42400 - up to $1,000 per day for negligent violations, up to $10,000 per day for knowing violations, and up to $25,000 per day with potential 1-year jail for violations that emit toxic air contaminants. Permit-less open burning under CFC §307.1 / SLMC §7-5-810 is a misdemeanor (CFC §109.3) and the Fire Code Official may order immediate extinguishment. Report illegal burning to BAAQMD at 1-800-334-ODOR (6367).
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