Hayward Backyard Fire Regulations Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Hayward falls under the jurisdiction of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), which regulates outdoor burning across the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. BAAQMD Regulation 5 prohibits all open burning of trash, vegetation, construction debris, and other materials within the district's boundaries, including Hayward. This prohibition applies year-round and is separate from seasonal fire restrictions.

Recreational fires — campfires, fire pits, and outdoor fireplaces used for warmth, cooking, or ambiance — are permitted in Hayward provided they comply with both the Hayward Fire Department regulations and BAAQMD requirements. The fire must be contained within a commercially manufactured portable fire pit, a permanently installed masonry or metal fireplace, or a barbecue designed for solid-fuel use. Open fires on the ground, in makeshift containers, or in burn barrels are prohibited. The fire must not exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height, and it must be positioned at least 15 feet from any structure, fence, overhang, tree canopy, or combustible material.

Only clean, dry, natural firewood or commercially manufactured fire logs may be burned. Burning of painted or treated lumber, plywood, particle board, pallets, plastic, rubber, household trash, yard clippings, or any other non-approved material is strictly prohibited. The fire must produce no excessive smoke visible from neighboring properties. A responsible adult must attend the fire at all times with a garden hose or fire extinguisher readily available, and the fire must be completely extinguished — cold to the touch — before the area is left unattended.

During BAAQMD Winter Spare the Air alerts, all wood burning is prohibited throughout the Bay Area, including recreational outdoor fires, fire pits, and wood-burning fireplaces. These alerts are issued when air quality forecasts predict unhealthy levels of particulate matter (PM2.5). Residents can check the current Spare the Air status at sparetheair.org or by calling 1-877-4-NO-BURN (1-877-466-2876). Natural gas and propane fire features are exempt from Spare the Air restrictions.

The Hayward Fire Department may impose additional temporary burning restrictions during periods of elevated fire danger, particularly during the summer and fall wildfire season. Properties located in Hayward's hillside areas face additional defensible space requirements and may be subject to stricter outdoor fire limitations.