Burn permits and fire pits in Sierra Madre, California
You can't burn brush or yard waste at home: South Coast AQMD Rule 444 prohibits residential burning. A backyard fire pit or other recreational fire is allowed but must be at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material under Sierra Madre's fire code. In the City's designated protected fire areas, any outdoor fire other than a barbecue or outdoor fireplace used for cooking in a cleared area needs a written permit from the fire chief.
| Brush and yard-waste burning at home | Prohibited (Rule 444 residential burning) [1] |
| Recreational fire / fire pit clearance | 25 feet from any structure or combustible material [4] |
| Fire chief can order a fire out | When hazardous or atmospheric conditions are critical [5] |
| Outdoor fires in protected fire areas | Written permit from the fire chief [6] |
| Permanent outdoor fireplace or BBQ (protected areas) | Written permit; spark arrester on all openings [8] |
| When no fire is allowed (protected areas) | High wind, or no one 17+ tending it [7] |
Brush and yard-waste burning
Sierra Madre is in the South Coast air basin. Rule 444 prohibits open burning for "residential burning" [1], which it defines as burning combustible or flammable waste from a residence on its premises [2]. Open burning is allowed only for the categories the air district can authorize, such as agricultural burning, and yard trimmings from a home don't qualify: the rule says agricultural waste doesn't include ornamental or landscape vegetation [11]. Together that rules out burning brush piles, leaves or trash at home. Burning to abate a fire hazard is allowed only when a fire agency finds no other viable option and the air district authorizes it.
Fire pits and recreational fires
Rule 444 doesn't apply to recreational or ceremonial fires, or to burning natural gas, propane, untreated wood or charcoal for cooking or warmth at a social gathering, except for its general prohibitions [3]. The City's fire code amendment says recreational fires must be at least 25 feet from a structure or combustible material, and anything that could spread fire within 25 feet of a structure must be removed [4]. The fire code official can order a recreational fire put out if it's hazardous or if atmospheric conditions reach critical levels [5].
Protected fire areas
"Protected fire areas" are grass-, brush- or forest-covered or hard-to-reach lands where a fire would be unusually hard to fight; they are shown on a map kept by the City Clerk [10], which we haven't seen, so ask the Fire Department whether your lot is in one. In those areas, any outdoor fire needs a written permit from the fire chief, except fires in a permanent or portable barbecue, outdoor fireplace or grill used for cooking at a home, located in a cleared area and using fuel that doesn't throw sparks or embers [6]. Even with a permit, no outdoor fire is allowed during high wind or without someone 17 or older tending it [7]. Building a permanent outdoor fireplace, barbecue or grill there requires a written permit, and every opening needs an approved spark arrester [8]. Barbecues and fireplaces can't be used to burn rubbish [9].
Very high fire hazard
The City's ADU webpage notes that Sierra Madre is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, so check fire-weather and South Coast AQMD air-quality alerts before lighting any wood fire.
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Next steps
- Don't burn yard waste; use green-waste collection or chipping instead.
- Place any fire pit at least 25 feet from your house, fences, sheds and other combustibles.
- Call the Sierra Madre Fire Department to ask whether your property is in a protected fire area and whether you need a written permit for an outdoor fire or a permanent outdoor fireplace.
- Check South Coast AQMD air-quality alerts before burning wood, and put out the fire if the fire department orders it.
Common questions
- Can I burn yard waste in Sierra Madre, California?
- No. South Coast AQMD Rule 444 prohibits residential burning, and yard trimmings from a home don't qualify as agricultural waste. Use green-waste collection or chipping instead.
- Are fire pits allowed in Sierra Madre, California?
- Yes. A backyard fire pit or other recreational fire is allowed but must be at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material under Sierra Madre's fire code. The fire code official can order it put out if conditions are hazardous.
- Do I need a permit for an outdoor fire in Sierra Madre, California?
- Only in the City's designated protected fire areas, where any outdoor fire needs a written permit from the fire chief, except a barbecue, outdoor fireplace or grill used for cooking in a cleared area. Ask the Fire Department whether your lot is in one.
- Can I build an outdoor fireplace in Sierra Madre, California?
- In protected fire areas, building a permanent outdoor fireplace, barbecue or grill requires a written permit, and every opening needs an approved spark arrester. Barbecues and fireplaces can't be used to burn rubbish.
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
- Rule 444(d)(3)(A), South Coast AQMD Rule 444 - Open Burning (amended July 12, 2013), p. 9
(3) A person is prohibited from open burning for: (A) Residential burning
- Rule 444(c)(28), South Coast AQMD Rule 444 - Open Burning (amended July 12, 2013), 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.
- Rule 444(h)(6), South Coast AQMD Rule 444 - Open Burning (amended July 12, 2013), p. 15
(6) 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.
- Sec. 15.24.070(D) (CFC 307.4.2 as amended), Municipal Code Title 15 Ch. 15.24 Fire Code (15.24.070 amendments to 2025 California Fire Code; 307.4.2 recreational fires), p. 1
307.4.2 Recreational fires. Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet (760mm) of a structure or combustible material. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet (7620 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated.
- Sec. 15.24.070(D) (CFC 307.4.2 as amended), Municipal Code Title 15 Ch. 15.24 Fire Code (15.24.070 amendments to 2025 California Fire Code; 307.4.2 recreational fires), p. 1
The fire code official or his representative is authorized to require that recreational fires be immediately discontinued if such fires are determined by the chief to constitute a hazardous condition or if atmospheric conditions reach critical levels as specified in the policies and procedures of the fire prevention bureau.
- Sec. 8.28.110(A), Municipal Code Title 8 Ch. 8.28 Protected Fire Areas (8.28.110 outdoor fires; 8.28.120 incinerators and fireplaces), p. 1
No person shall build, ignite, or maintain any outdoor fires of any kind or character, or for any purpose whatsoever, in or upon any protected fire area, except by the authority of a written permit from the chief. No permit will be required for outdoor fires within inhabited premises or designated camp sites where such fires are built in a permanent barbecue, portable barbecue, outdoor fireplace, incinerator, or grill for the preparation of food, and are so located within a cleared area as to safeguard public safety and property, and that all fuels used are of a type which does not emit sparks or flying embers.
- Sec. 8.28.110(A), Municipal Code Title 8 Ch. 8.28 Protected Fire Areas (8.28.110 outdoor fires; 8.28.120 incinerators and fireplaces), p. 1
Regardless of a permit, however, no person shall build, ignite or maintain any outdoor fire in a barbecue or otherwise in or upon any protected fire area under the following conditions: 1. When any high wind is blowing; or 2. When there is no person aged seventeen or over present at all times to watch and capable of tending such fire.
- Sec. 8.28.120, Municipal Code Title 8 Ch. 8.28 Protected Fire Areas (8.28.110 outdoor fires; 8.28.120 incinerators and fireplaces), p. 1
No person shall build or install any permanent outdoor fireplace, barbecue, or grill in any protected fire area without first securing a written permit from the chief. B. Every outdoor fireplace, permanent barbecue, or grill shall be maintained in good repair and in a safe condition at all times. All openings in any such appliance shall be provided with an approved spark arrester screen, or door.
- Sec. 8.28.110(B), Municipal Code Title 8 Ch. 8.28 Protected Fire Areas (8.28.110 outdoor fires; 8.28.120 incinerators and fireplaces), p. 1
No person shall use any permanent barbecue, portable barbecue, outdoor fireplace, or grill for the disposal of rubbish, trash or combustible waste material.
- Sec. 8.28.020 ("Protected fire area"), Municipal Code Title 8 Ch. 8.28 Protected Fire Areas (8.28.110 outdoor fires; 8.28.120 incinerators and fireplaces), p. 1
"Protected fire area" shall be designated by the city clerk on a map and said map shall be on file in the office of the city clerk.
- Rule 444(c)(3), South Coast AQMD Rule 444 - Open Burning (amended July 12, 2013), p. 2
Agricultural wastes do not include items such as plastic, rubber, ornamental or landscape vegetation, chemically treated wood, shop wastes, construction and demolition material, material containing asbestos, garbage, oil filters, tires, tar paper, pesticide and fertilizer containers, broken boxes, pallets, sweat boxes, packaging material, packing boxes or any other material produced in the packaging or processing of agricultural products.