Outdoor burning rules in Santa Clara, 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, trash, or construction debris is prohibited in Santa Clara. Only small recreational fires and permitted cooking fires are allowed, subject to BAAQMD air rules.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District prohibits open burning of leaves, yard clippings, and household waste throughout Santa Clara County. Santa Clara City Code and the California Fire Code adopted by Santa Clara County Fire further restrict outdoor burning inside city limits. Residents may use approved barbecues, portable outdoor fireplaces, and manufactured fire pits with a fuel area of 3 feet or less; these do not require a permit when used for recreational or cooking purposes and kept at least 10 feet from structures. Agricultural and land management burns are not available in the urbanized city. During Red Flag Warnings or Spare the Air Alerts, even otherwise-legal wood fires may be prohibited.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Santa Clara County.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle outdoor burning.
See how Santa Clara's outdoor burning rules stack up against other locations.
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