Backyard Burning in San Luis Obispo County: When Burn Season is open, burning is allowed in some rural areas of San Luis Obispo County by permit only on Permissive Burn Days. Burn Season typically begins (weather permitting) in late fall and runs through the end of April.
There are three ways to currently obtain a backyard burn permit during Burn Season:
1) Online Permit Application Renewal (unavailable)
2) Paper Application Form (locations available)
San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District
3433 Roberto Court
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Please note that Backyard Burn Permits are not available at local CAL FIRE stations
3) Downloadable Backyard Burn application from APCD's website
San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District
3433 Roberto Court
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Rule 501 prohibits backyard burning of green waste material in developed areas of San Luis Obispo County. As a result, parcels within the San Luis Obispo County Urban and Village Reserve Lines (URL/VRL) areas listed below are ineligible for backyard burn permits.
Arroyo Grande * | Garden Farms | Nipomo |
Atascadero * | Heritage Ranch | Morro Bay |
Avila Beach | San Luis Obispo | Oceano |
Black Lake | San Simeon Acres | Paso Robles |
Cambria | Santa Margarita | Templeton |
Cayucos | San Miguel | Whitley Gardens |
Creston | Shandon | Woodlands |
Edna / Los Ranchos | Jardine |
* Please contact the Fire Departments of City of Atascadero and City of Arroyo Grande for information on their special fire hazard burn programs
To confirm whether a property is eligible for a backyard burn permit, please use the map below. Areas within red boundaries are ineligible.
Backyard Burn Season is announced by CAL FIRE. The start of the season depends on rainfall; its usually runs from late fall through April 30 of the following year.
The following restrictions apply for Backyard Burning:
Contact us if you have questions on where and when you can burn.
The APCD is continuing our efforts to develop effective alternatives to assist residents and communities in managing their green waste materials without burning. Alternatives include backyard composting, community chipping and composting programs, and green waste curbside pickup.
Contact us for more information on this topic.