Burn Permits
Backyard Burn Permits
Backyard Burning is the burning of green waste material by occupants of single- or two-family dwellings. The Backyard Burn Season begins on December 1st each year and continues through April 30 of the following year.
- Brochure: Backyard Burning in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties (excluding San Lorenzo Valley)
- Brochure: Backyard Burning in San Lorenzo Valley
Agricultural Burn Permits
Piles cleared from less than 10 acres of agricultural land or for land management
- Apply for an Agricultural and Land Management Burn Permit from MBARD.
Prescribed Burn Permits
Piles cleared from 10 + acres of agricultural land management or for wildland vegetation management
- Use the Prescribed Fire Information Reporting System (PFIRS). Apply for a Land Manager’s account HERE.
Broadcast burns of any size for agricultural land management or wildland vegetation management
- Use the Prescribed Fire Information Reporting System (PFIRS). Apply for a Land Manager’s account HERE.
Air Curtain Burner Permits
Visit the MBARD Air Curtain Burners Webpage for information on the required permit(s) to operate an air curtain burner.
Alternatives to Burning
Fire Adapted Big Sur - Big Sur Chipping Program
Applicable Rules and Regulations:
Rule 438: Open Outdoor FiresTitle 17: Smoke Management Guidelines for Agricultural and Prescribed BurningSanta Cruz County Guidelines for Pile Burning
Burn Type Information
What are the Different Types of Burns?Trash Burning BanWarming Fires Guidelines