Outdoor burning rules in Santa Cruz, 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 in Santa Cruz requires a fire chief permit and is restricted to the December 1 to April 30 open burn season set by the Monterey Bay Air Resources District.
Permits are issued only to the owner of the land where the burn occurs. Burn-pile size, location, and timing are tied to MBARD's pile-burning guidelines. The fire code official can order extinguishment of any open burn that creates a hazard. Deliberate or negligent burning is separately prohibited under §19.05.110. Outside the declared burn season, open burning is presumptively prohibited.
Citation by fire code official; civil and criminal liability for fire spread. Enforcement under §19.05.070.
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