Outdoor burning rules in Stockton, 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, and construction debris is prohibited in Stockton under California Fire Code Section 307 (adopted via SMC Chapter 15.12) and San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Rule 4103 (Open Burning). Residential solid-fuel fireplace burning is also banned on no-burn days from November through February under SJVAPCD Rule 4901.
California Fire Code Section 307.1, adopted in Stockton via SMC Chapter 15.12, prohibits open burning unless the Stockton Fire Code Official has issued a permit and the burn complies with all applicable air quality regulations. SJVAPCD Rule 4103 prohibits open burning of residential, commercial, demolition, construction, and most agricultural waste in the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin (which includes all of San Joaquin County and Stockton). Limited categories - agricultural burning permitted by the District, prescribed burning for fire-hazard reduction, and certain narrowly defined operations - require a District burn permit and a District declaration of a permissive burn day. Backyard burning of leaves, grass clippings, trash, or paper is prohibited. The only routine residential open flame allowed is a recreational fire meeting CFC 307.4.2 (3 ft x 2 ft, clean dry wood) plus a permissive burn day under SJVAPCD Rule 4901 from Nov 1 - Feb 28.
California Fire Code violations are infractions or misdemeanors enforced by the Stockton Fire Marshal under SMC 15.12. SJVAPCD Rule 4103 violations carry administrative civil penalties up to $10,000 per day per violation under Health & Safety Code Section 42402. SJVAPCD Rule 4901 violations begin at a $50 fine (or burn-education class) and escalate to $1,000 for repeat offenses.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Stockton, CA
Vehicle noise on Stockton streets is regulated primarily by the California Vehicle Code (§§ 27150–27207), not by the Municipal Code. State law requires a fun...
Stockton, CA
Stockton's Development Code allows common residential fence materials (wood, vinyl, masonry, wrought iron, chain link) subject to design standards in Chapter...
Stockton, CA
Sidewalk vending in Stockton is regulated under SB 946 (Cal. Govt. Code §§51036-51039) and the City's 2025 ordinance update (SMC Titles 5, 8, 12). Vendors mu...
Stockton, CA
Stockton Municipal Code Chapter 12.56 (Use of Public Parks) does not contain a stand-alone drone prohibition, but parks are closed from one hour after sundow...
Stockton, CA
All yard waste — grass clippings, leaves, branches, weeds — must go in the 90-gallon green-lid organics cart along with food scraps and food-soiled paper. Lo...
Stockton, CA
Under SMC 8.04.210 it is unlawful to throw or deposit any recyclable material, green waste, rubbish, or waste matter on any Stockton street. The 2024 illegal...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Joaquin County.
See how other cities in San Joaquin County handle outdoor burning.
See how Stockton'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.