Outdoor burning rules in Walnut Creek, 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 is effectively prohibited in Walnut Creek. The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (ConFire) enforces a year-round ban on outdoor residential burning, and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) prohibits open burning of landscape waste, garbage, and construction debris under Regulation 5.
Walnut Creek falls within ConFire's jurisdiction and BAAQMD's regulatory area. BAAQMD Regulation 5 (Open Burning) prohibits the burning of any combustible refuse, landscape trimmings, leaves, or construction debris in open piles. The only limited exceptions require agricultural or permitted hazard-reduction burns authorized by ConFire — these are rarely granted within incorporated Walnut Creek due to wildland-urban interface risks in the city's eastern hills and along Mount Diablo foothills. During "Spare the Air" winter alerts issued by BAAQMD, even indoor wood-burning in fireplaces and stoves is prohibited unless it is the sole heat source. California Public Resources Code Section 4423 imposes penalties up to $1,000 and six months in jail for illegal outdoor burning during declared fire season. Residents must use green-waste curbside collection (Republic Services) or self-haul to Contra Costa Transfer Station rather than burn yard debris. Violations can result in BAAQMD fines starting around $500 and additional fire code penalties from ConFire.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Contra Costa County.
See how other cities in Contra Costa County handle outdoor burning.
See how Walnut Creek's outdoor burning rules stack up against other locations.
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