Burn Permit Instructions

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The following conditions and procedures must be adhered to by the permittee as part of the burning operations:

For All Burn Permit Types

  • A burn permit may be rescinded or suspended at all times of critical fire weather, as declared by the Fire Chief.
  • The burning operations authorized by a permit shall be attended by at least one competent adult at all times. This person shall have the means to summon help if needed.
  • The burning operations shall be confined within cleared fire breaks or barriers adequate to prevent it from escaping control. Adequate provisions shall be made for the rapid extinguishment of the fire. A minimum of one 4A rated fire extinguisher or other approved on-site fire-extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose or water truck, shall be available for immediate utilization.
  • The material to be burned shall be regulated in size and number of piles to insure effective control by the number of persons tending the fire.
  • No person shall kindle a fire on the land of another without first obtaining the permission of the owner or agent thereof.
  • Approved ignition devices shall be used. These include matches, road flares, propane lighters or torches, fusees, and drip torches. Use of burning tires or gasoline is not allowed.
  • The smoke shall not cause a nuisance. No burning is allowed on Sundays or legal holidays. All complaints shall be referred to the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) for investigation.
  • Material to be burned must be thoroughly dried and reasonably free of dirt and trash. It should be loosely stacked or arranged to promote drying and good combustion. Guidelines for drying times are as follows:
    • Six weeks for trees and large branches
    • Three weeks for prunings and small branches
    • Ten days for wastes from field crops
  • Burn permits are valid only on days designated by the California Air Resources Board as Permissive Burn Days. Permissive Burn Days can be cancelled by the Fire Chief and/or the Santa Barbara County APCD due to critical wildland fire conditions. Permittee shall call the local burn status phone lines after 5:00 pm on the day before the intended burning operation is to occur.
  • The permittee shall contact the fire station noted on the permit before starting any fire. Telephone calls are accepted between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm on the day before, or 7:00 am and 12:00 pm on the day of proposed burning operations.
  • A valid appropriate burn permit must be on site at all times during burning operations.
  • No fire shall be started or maintained when it is unsafe to do so, or because weather conditions are likely to contribute to a fire hazard, cause a hazard to a vehicle, be a nuisance, or cause excessive air pollution.
  • All material burned must originate on the property where the burn occurs.

For Residential Dry Vegetation Burn Permits

  • The permittee shall have a one or two family dwelling on the property.
  • Residential burning shall be allowed only during the months of February, May, August, and November on Permissive Burn Days.