Outdoor burning rules in Santa Barbara County, 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 outdoor burning in unincorporated Santa Barbara County requires a permit from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department and is allowed only on APCD-declared 'permissive burn days,' during specified months and hours, with strict size and attendance rules.
Santa Barbara County Code Chapter 15 adopts California Fire Code § 307 — 'Open Burning, Recreational Fires and Portable Outdoor Fireplaces' — in its entirety. Open outdoor burning is also regulated by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (SBCAPCD) under Rules 302 (visible emissions), 303 (nuisance), 312 (open fires), 401 (agricultural & prescribed burning), and 403 (burn permits/non-burn-day reporting). A burn permit must be obtained from the County Fire Department for any pile burning of vegetation; agricultural burning, fire-hazard-reduction burning, residential dry-vegetation 'backyard' burning, and right-of-way burning each have their own permit category and fee ($50 base open-burning fee plus $99 per permit per Chapter 15 fee schedule items 105.5.34–105.5.34.3). Burning is allowed only when the Fire Department has transitioned to Low Fire Season Preparedness Level. Residential dry-vegetation burning is allowed only on permissive burn days in February, May, August, and November, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., with the pile dead-out by 4:00 p.m. Pile size is capped at 6 feet diameter and 4 feet tall. No burning is allowed on Sundays or legal holidays. The CARB declares burn days under 17 CCR § 80210; the County's burn-status line is (805) 686-8177. Residential burning is allowed only in the Northern Zone, excluding the cities of Solvang, Santa Maria, and Lompoc; it is not allowed in the South Coast urbanized area.
Burning without a permit, on a no-burn day, outside the permitted months or hours, or with an oversized pile is enforceable as a Fire Code violation under SB County Code § 15-121—an infraction up to $100/$200/$500 or a misdemeanor up to $25,000 and 90 days jail at the DA's discretion. SBCAPCD may issue separate Notices of Violation for Rule 302/303/312/403 breaches. If a fire escapes, the burner is civilly liable for all suppression costs under CA Health & Safety Code § 13009 and for property damage under § 13007. Civil penalties under § 15-123 may reach $25,000 per day.
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