San Juan Capistrano Municipal Code Ch. 2 Fire Prevention

(a) No person shall kindle, build, light or maintain, or authorize to be kindled, built or maintained, a fire in any place other than facilities specifically designed and built for that purpose for which a permit has been issued by the Building Official of the City of San Juan Capistrano, upon consultation with the Orange County Fire Authority. Any fire that is built, lit, kindled or maintained pursuant to a permit issued by the City’s Building Official shall comply with all applicable permits and other regulations of air pollution control authorities and all other laws, rules and regulations. The City’s Building Official may delegate entirely to the Orange County Fire Authority the authority to issue special permits for fires in such places or locations as may, in the Building Official’s discretion, be deemed safe or which do not interfere with the public welfare.

(b) The use of flammable or combustible liquids (except for approved charcoal lighter fluid) is strictly prohibited. In addition, the California Fire Code as adopted through City ordinance is fully enforceable and must be adhered to. Fires are to be attended by persons 21 years of age or older at all times until extinguished. A portable fire extinguisher or other approved equipment or method of extinguishing the fire shall be available for immediate use. Fires shall be fully extinguished before vacating the area.

(c) Any violation of this section is unlawful and is a misdemeanor and subject to other administrative or civil remedies. This section does not apply to Section 5-21.04(k) of the San Juan Capistrano Municipal Code, regarding fires in the City’s parks, nor does this section apply to the use of BBQs, portable BBQs, portable fireplaces, fire rings, or similar devices in the private yards of one- or two-family dwellings or in other areas approved by the City’s Building Official, upon consultation with the Orange County Fire Authority, wherein the opinion of the Building Official, use of the device does not pose an elevated risk of uncontrolled fire.

(Ord. No. 1068, § 4, 2019)