Open Burning, Recreational Fires and Portable Outdoor Fireplaces
San Diego Municipal Code § 511.0307
in effect§511.0307 Open Burning, Recreational Fires and Portable Outdoor Fireplaces
(a) Local Amendment. Section 307.4.1, Bonfires, is amended to read as follows:
A bonfire shall not be conducted within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of a structure or combustible material unless the fire is contained in a barbecue pit. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition, with the following exceptions.
(1) Fires in beach areas shall be maintained in accordance with San Diego Municipal Code section 63.20.5.
(2) Fires are not permitted in public parks except as provided in San Diego Municipal Code section 63.0102(c)(11).
(b) Local Amendment. Section 307.4.3, Portable outdoor fireplaces, is amended to read as follows:
Portable outdoor fireplaces shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, provided with a spark arrestor, and shall not be operated within 15 feet (4572 mm) of a structure or combustible material, with the following exceptions.
(1) Portable outdoor fireplaces used at one and two-family dwellings located outside of a Wildland-Urban Interface Area, when used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
(2) Portable outdoor fireplaces used at one and two-family dwellings located within a Wildland-Urban Interface Area, when such portable outdoor fireplaces are located at least 15 feet (4572 mm) from a structure, combustible material or vegetation. Such outdoor fireplaces shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
(c) Local Addition. Section 307.4.4, “Red-Flag” Warning and other high fire risk conditions, is added as follows:
Open burning, including recreational fires and fires within portable outdoor fireplaces, shall not be permitted when a Red-Flag Warning or a Fire Weather Watch condition has been issued by the National Weather Service, except for fires in beach areas complying with San Diego Municipal Code section 63.20.5.
(“Open Burning, Recreational Fires and Portable Outdoor Fireplaces” added 1-27-2022 by O-21409 N.S.; effective 2-26-2022.)
(Amended 1-13-2023 by O-21606 N.S.; effective 2-12-2023.)
(Amended 3-7-2023 by O-21614 N.S.; effective 4-6-2023.)
(Amended 1-29-2026 by O-22043 N.S.; effective 2-28-2026.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter05/Ch05Art11Division03.pdf#page=2Fetched: 10/28/2026