Burn Permit Terms and Conditions
All permit fees paid are non-refundable, including when burning is suspended, prohibited, or the permit is not used.
Before burning: Call 707-463-4391 for burn day status.
Burning is NOT authorized during burn suspension.
This permit is valid only on days when burning is not prohibited by the California Air Resources Board (pursuant to Health and Safety Code Sec. 41855) or Mendocino County Air Quality Management District Regulation 2. All open outdoor burning must comply with applicable local, county, and state regulations. Only vegetative matter may be burned. Burning of paper products is prohibited.
Burn piles may require inspection prior to burning. Burn barrels are illegal.
Failure to comply with regulations may result in misdemeanor penalties, fines, civil penalties, and liability for fire suppression costs.
Permit holders agree to comply with all air quality and fire agency requirements, including possible submission of a Smoke Management Plan and post-burn evaluation.
Open outdoor burning is prohibited in Mendocino County except for disposal of vegetative matter on the property where it was grown. Burning may be suspended due to fire weather conditions.
Burning of poison oak and oleander is restricted and subject to additional conditions.
Burning Preparations
- Material must be approved and reasonably free of soil and moisture.
- Material must be arranged to promote rapid combustion.
- Drying times:
- Trees/branches over 6 inches: 60 days
- Prunings/smaller branches: 15 days
- Field crops/brush/weeds: 7 days
- Other material: determined by the District
- Ignite piles rapidly using approved devices.
- Do not burn when wind blows toward populated areas.
- Burn barrels are illegal in California.
Fire Safety Requirements
- Minimum 10-foot clearance from flammable material.
- Adult in attendance with a shovel until fire is dead out.
- Water supply required at burn site.
Permit Requirements
A burn permit is required for all open outdoor burning in Mendocino County. Additional permits may be required by fire agencies.
Allowed and Prohibited Materials
Approved: Dried vegetative material grown on the property.
Not Approved:
- Household garbage
- Paper or cardboard
- Plastic, rubber, Styrofoam
- Animals
- Wood waste or treated wood
- Cannabis
- Any restricted materials under law