Fire Permits and Inspections

Fire Permits

A Fire Permit is required for open burning within the City of Sierra Madre, including use of the Bailey Canyon Fire Ring. Fire permits are not required for the use of public barbecue grills.

The Fire Permit Application must be submitted in person at the Sierra Madre Fire Department and must include payment at the time of submission.

Applicants requesting a Fire Permit for the Bailey Canyon Fire Ring must also obtain a facility rental permit from the Community Services Department.

Defensible Space Inspections – Assembly Bill 38 (AB 38)

Properties located within High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) may be required to maintain defensible space in compliance with California law. The Sierra Madre Fire Department conducts defensible space inspections to support wildfire preparedness and ensure compliance with state requirements.

Residents may search by address to view the current fire hazard designation of their property HERE. Learn more about Fire Hazard Severity Zones from CAL FIRE.

AB 38 Requirements

Effective July 1, 2021, when selling a residential property located within a High or Very High FHSZ, documentation of a compliant Defensible Space Inspection (DSI) is required.
Please note that AB 38 requirements apply to real estate transaction disclosure and documentation only.

For additional information or to schedule an inspection, please contact our Community Risk Specialist at
inspection@sierramadreca.gov or 626-355-3611, extension 607.

Download the AB 38 Defensible Space Inspection Form HERE.

Multi-Family Residential, School, and Church Inspections

Each year, the Sierra Madre Fire Department conducts approximately 140 mandatory inspections of multi-family residential properties, schools, and churches throughout the city. These inspections involve multiple components that generate costs for the City of Sierra Madre.

Beginning with the current inspection cycle, the Fire Department has implemented a cost recovery program to help offset these expenses. Charging fees for these inspections is a common practice among fire agencies and is authorized under California Health and Safety Code §13146.2.