Burn permits and fire pits in Malibu, California
No brush or yard-waste burning: South Coast AQMD Rule 444, which covers Malibu, bans residential burning outright. Recreational fires and cooking or warming fires that burn natural gas, propane, untreated wood or charcoal are exempt from the air district's burn-day system. But all of Malibu is a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, and the city and LA County Fire rules for fire pits weren't available to us, so check with LA County Fire before lighting any outdoor fire.
| Residential burning (brush, yard waste, trash) | Prohibited [1] |
| Residential burning defined as | Burning combustible waste from a home on its premises [2] |
| Recreational and cooking/warming fires | Exempt from Rule 444 permits (gas, propane, untreated wood, charcoal) [3] |
| Other open burning | Only on permissive burn days with written permit and burn authorization [4] |
| Beach fires | Only in devices meeting spacing rules on low-pollution days [5] |
| Fire hazard designation | Entire city is a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone [6] |
Brush and yard-waste burning is banned
Malibu is in the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD). AQMD Rule 444 prohibits residential burning [1], defined as burning combustible or flammable solid waste from a home on its premises [2]. That covers backyard brush, leaf and trash piles. So brush cleared for fire safety can't be burned in your yard.
Recreational fires and fire pits
Recreational fires, and fires using natural gas, propane, untreated wood or charcoal for cooking or for warmth at a social gathering, are exempt from Rule 444's permit and burn-day requirements [3]. So a gas fire pit, barbecue or charcoal grill doesn't need an air district permit. Rule 444 refers to a separate AQMD rule, Rule 445 (Wood-Burning Devices), which we didn't review.
Other burning
Any other open burning needs a burn day declared by the AQMD, a written permit from the AQMD or fire agency, and a daily burn authorization number [4]. Examples include agricultural burning or fire-hazard abatement directed by a fire agency.
Beach fires
Beach burning is banned unless the forecast PM2.5 air quality index is 100 or less and the fire is in a designated device meeting distance and spacing rules [5]. Use of charcoal or gas fuel isn't considered beach burning under the rule. City and state beach rules may be stricter.
Fire hazard
Malibu's 2026 ADU ordinance states that the entire city of Malibu is in a designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone [6]. Fire code rules on open flames, outdoor fireplaces and red-flag days are enforced by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Those amendments are in Municipal Code Title 15 on eCode360, which we couldn't review. They may restrict wood-burning fire pits more than the air district does, especially during red-flag warnings.
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Next steps
- Don't burn brush, leaves or trash at home; ask the city or your hauler about green-waste disposal for cleared vegetation.
- Before using a wood-burning fire pit, call the Los Angeles County Fire Department or the City of Malibu (310-456-2489) to ask about fire code limits and red-flag-day bans.
- Prefer a gas or propane fire feature or a charcoal grill, which are exempt from AQMD burn permits.
- For any burn the fire agency directs for hazard abatement, get a written permit and a daily AQMD burn authorization number by 4 p.m. the day before.
Common questions
- Can I burn brush or yard waste in Malibu, California?
- No. South Coast AQMD Rule 444, which covers Malibu, bans residential burning outright, including backyard brush, leaf and trash piles. Brush cleared for fire safety can't be burned in your yard.
- Are fire pits allowed in Malibu, California?
- It depends. Recreational, cooking and warming fires that burn natural gas, propane, untreated wood or charcoal are exempt from the air district's burn permits. But all of Malibu is a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and local fire pit rules weren't available to us, so check with LA County Fire before lighting any outdoor fire.
- Are beach fires allowed in Malibu, California?
- Only in limited cases. Beach burning is banned unless the forecast PM2.5 air quality index is 100 or less and the fire is in a designated device meeting distance and spacing rules. City and state beach rules may be stricter.
- Do I need a burn permit in Malibu, California?
- For open burning other than recreational or cooking fires, yes: it needs an AQMD-declared burn day, a written permit from the AQMD or fire agency, and a daily burn authorization number. A gas fire pit, barbecue or charcoal grill doesn't need an air district permit.
California rules on outdoor burning and fire pits
Outdoor burning is controlled mainly by your regional air district and CAL FIRE or your local fire agency, and city codes add more limits.
Statewide rules:
- No trash burning: since January 1, 2004, a California Air Resources Board rule has banned burning household garbage outdoors at homes, and burn barrels can't be used, even for vegetation. Dry vegetation grown on the property may be burned in open piles unless local rules prohibit it, on days the air district allows.
- Fire permits in wildland areas: in state responsibility areas and other areas CAL FIRE protects, burning brush or other vegetation needs a written permit during fire season, and at any time in some zones (Pub. Res. Code §4423).
- Cooking and recreational fires are not covered by the state open-burning ban (Health & Safety Code §41806). Air districts can still restrict them.
Examples of air district rules (check yours):
- Bay Area Air District: open burning is prohibited unless a specific exemption applies (Regulation 5). Recreational fires are allowed except during a Mandatory Burn Ban. During a Spare the Air Alert, it's illegal to burn wood in fireplaces, wood stoves or outdoor fire pits (Regulation 6, Rule 3).
- South Coast AQMD: residential burning (burning a home's combustible waste on site) is banned (Rule 444). From November through February, declared No-Burn days bar indoor and outdoor wood-burning devices, including fire pits and chimineas (Rule 445), with some exemptions.
Other districts have their own burn-day systems; check yours and your city fire code.
What the ordinance says
- SCAQMD Rule 444(d)(3)(A), South Coast AQMD Rule 444 - Open Burning, p. 9
A person is prohibited from open burning for: (A) Residential burning
- SCAQMD Rule 444(c)(28), South Coast AQMD Rule 444 - Open Burning, p. 6
RESIDENTIAL BURNING means open burning for the purposes of disposing of combustible or flammable solid waste, excluding Russian thistle, from a specific residence on its premises.
- SCAQMD Rule 444(h)(6), South Coast AQMD Rule 444 - Open Burning, p. 15
Except for the requirements of subparagraph (d)(3) and (d)(4), the provisions of this rule shall not apply to: (A) Recreational fires or ceremonial fires, including fires conducted pursuant to United States Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8. (B) Open burning of natural gas, propane, untreated wood, or charcoal for the purpose of:
- SCAQMD Rule 444(d)(1), South Coast AQMD Rule 444 - Open Burning, p. 7
A person shall not conduct or allow open burning unless all of the following are met:
- SCAQMD Rule 444(d)(3)(G), South Coast AQMD Rule 444 - Open Burning, p. 9
Effective March 1, 2014, beach burning, unless: (i) PM2.5 AQI of 100 or less has been forecast for the coastal source receptor area; and
- MMC 17.44.020, as amended by Ord. 535, Ordinance No. 535 - Zoning Text Amendment 25-003 updating ADU regulations (Title 17), p. 4
The entire city of Malibu is located in a designated "Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone," and this chapter ensures that ADUs and JADUs are developed and operated on adequate sites, at proper and desirable locations, and that the goals and objectives of the general plan are observed.