Arson Bail Amounts in California: PC 451, 452, 455 and Aggravated Arson
Arson is one of the few property crimes California treats like a violent crime. Burning a home is a violent felony and a strike, and bail for it runs into six figures in Los Angeles and Orange counties. But “arson” on a booking sheet can also mean a reckless fire that burned a fence or a car, which may be released with no money bail at all. This guide explains each fire-related charge, what it is scheduled at in Southern California, and what a bail bond costs.
The short version: Arson of an inhabited structure (PC 451(b)) is scheduled at $250,000 in Los Angeles and Orange counties and $50,000 in Riverside County. Arson of a structure or forest land (PC 451(c)) is $75,000 in Los Angeles County. Reckless burning (PC 452) is much lower, and a misdemeanor reckless fire involving only property is cite-and-release in Los Angeles County. A bail bond costs 10% of the bail, or 8% if you qualify.
Arson vs. reckless burning
California separates fires set on purpose from fires caused by carelessness:
- Arson (PC 451) means willfully and maliciously setting fire to, burning, or causing the burning of a structure, forest land or property. Burning your own personal property is not arson unless it was done to defraud someone, such as an insurer, or it injured someone else’s property.
- Reckless burning (PC 452), also called unlawfully causing a fire, means recklessly setting or causing a fire, such as an illegal burn or a campfire that escapes. Most versions are wobblers, and burning only property is a misdemeanor.
- Attempted arson (PC 455) covers trying to set a fire, including placing flammable material near a target intending to light it.
- Aggravated arson (PC 451.5) applies to a premeditated arson with a prior arson conviction in the last 10 years, losses over $10.1 million, or five or more homes damaged.
Arson bail amounts by county
Each county sets its own schedule. These figures come from the 2026 Los Angeles County and Orange County schedules and the current Riverside County schedule. Orange County sets unlisted felonies by the top prison term, which puts a three-year offense at $20,000. A judge can raise or lower any amount at arraignment.
| Charge | Code section | Los Angeles County | Orange County | Riverside County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arson causing great bodily injury | PC 451(a) | $250,000 | $100,000 | $80,000 |
| Arson of an inhabited structure or property | PC 451(b) | $250,000 | $250,000 | $50,000 |
| Arson of a structure or forest land | PC 451(c) | $75,000 | $50,000 | $40,000 |
| Arson of other property | PC 451(d) | $50,000 | About $20,000 (top-term rule) | Call us |
| Aggravated arson | PC 451.5 | $500,000 | Top-term rule; life term | Call us |
| Arson during a state of emergency | PC 454 | $350,000 | $150,000 | Call us |
| Reckless burning causing great bodily injury | PC 452(a) | $35,000 felony; magistrate review if misdemeanor | $50,000 | Call us |
| Reckless burning, inhabited structure | PC 452(b) | $25,000 felony; magistrate review if misdemeanor | Top-term rule | Call us |
| Reckless burning, structure or forest land | PC 452(c) | $20,000 felony; magistrate review if misdemeanor | Top-term rule | Call us |
| Reckless burning of property | PC 452(d) | Cite and release, no money bail | Misdemeanor schedule | Call us |
| Possession of flammable material or an incendiary device | PC 453(a) | $50,000 | Top-term rule | Call us |
| Attempted arson | PC 455 | $75,000 | About $20,000 (top-term rule) | Call us |
Arson under PC 451(a) and (b) is a violent felony, and every PC 451 offense is a serious felony. California law does not allow release on bail different from the schedule for violent or serious felonies until there has been a hearing in open court. Los Angeles County’s zero-bail protocol does not apply to them.
What pushes arson bail higher
- Enhancements under PC 451.1. They add 3, 4 or 5 years when a firefighter, officer or emergency worker suffers great bodily injury, more than one person is injured, multiple structures burn, an accelerant or a delay device is used, or the person has a prior arson felony.
- A state of emergency. Arson during a declared emergency (PC 454) is scheduled at $350,000 in Los Angeles County and $150,000 in Orange County.
- Strike priors. Each strike prior adds $50,000 in Los Angeles County.
- Holds. A probation, parole or immigration hold can block release after bail is posted. See police, ICE and “no bail” holds.
Arson penalties in California
| Charge | Felony or misdemeanor | Sentencing range |
|---|---|---|
| PC 451(a), great bodily injury | Felony | 5, 7 or 9 years in state prison |
| PC 451(b), inhabited structure or property | Felony | 3, 5 or 8 years |
| PC 451(c), structure or forest land | Felony | 2, 4 or 6 years |
| PC 451(d), other property | Felony | 16 months, 2 or 3 years |
| PC 451.5, aggravated arson | Felony | 10 years to life |
| PC 452(a), reckless burning with great bodily injury | Wobbler | 2, 4 or 6 years, or up to 1 year in county jail |
| PC 452(b), reckless burning, inhabited structure | Wobbler | 2, 3 or 4 years, or up to 1 year in county jail |
| PC 452(c), reckless burning, structure or forest land | Wobbler | 16 months, 2 or 3 years, or up to 6 months in county jail |
| PC 452(d), reckless burning of property | Misdemeanor | County jail |
| PC 455, attempted arson | Felony | 16 months, 2 or 3 years |
Arson under PC 451(a) or (b) is a violent felony under PC 667.5(c), and arson is a serious felony under PC 1192.7(c), so a conviction counts as a strike. Anyone convicted of arson (PC 451, 451.5, 453 or 455) is also generally required to register as an arson offender under PC 457.1.
Does California’s 2025 looting law change arson bail?
No. After the January 2025 wildfires, the legislature passed AB 468, which increased penalties for looting and burglary in evacuation zones (PC 463). It did not change the arson or reckless burning statutes. Looting in Los Angeles County is set for magistrate review on the 2026 schedule. See our theft and burglary bail amounts.
What a bail bond costs for an arson charge
A bail bond costs 10% of the bail, or 8% if you qualify. The premium is not refunded. On six-figure arson bail, expect the bond to need a cosigner with steady income or property, and sometimes collateral.
- $20,000 bail (felony reckless burning of a structure, Los Angeles County): $2,000, or $1,600 at 8%
- $50,000 bail (arson of property, Los Angeles County): $5,000, or $4,000 at 8%
- $75,000 bail (arson of a structure or forest land, Los Angeles County): $7,500, or $6,000 at 8%
- $250,000 bail (arson of an inhabited structure, Los Angeles or Orange County): $25,000, or $20,000 at 8%
We offer low down payments and payment plans upon qualification. See the bail bond cost chart or the bail cost calculator.
Can arson bail be reduced?
Sometimes. Because most arson charges are serious or violent felonies, the change has to happen at a hearing in open court, usually the arraignment. A defense attorney can argue for lower bail based on community ties, work, a clean record, or facts showing the fire was accidental rather than intentional. Under In re Humphrey, the court must also consider whether the person can afford the amount. See what happens at arraignment.
Step by step if a loved one was arrested for arson
- Find them and get the booking number with our California inmate locator, or call us.
- Confirm the exact code section. PC 451(b) and PC 452(d) are very different cases.
- Get a defense attorney involved before arraignment on any PC 451 charge.
- Choose a cosigner and arrange the premium or payment plan. Read what cosigning means.
- We post the bond, and the jail processes the release. See how long it takes to get out on bail.
Frequently asked questions
How much is bail for arson in California?
It depends on what burned. In Los Angeles County, arson of property is $50,000, a structure or forest land $75,000, and an inhabited structure or a fire causing great bodily injury $250,000. Orange and Riverside counties use their own figures.
Is arson a felony in California?
Yes. Every subdivision of PC 451 is a felony. Reckless burning under PC 452 can be a misdemeanor or a felony.
Is arson a strike?
Yes. Arson is a serious felony under California’s Three Strikes law, and arson of an inhabited structure or causing great bodily injury is also a violent felony.
Can you get a bail bond for arson?
Yes, arson is bailable. On higher amounts, expect the bond to require a cosigner and possibly collateral.
Someone arrested on an arson or reckless burning charge? We can confirm the bail and explain your options right now. Call 800.590.7321 or message 626.862.0627 any time.
Related guides
- California Bail Amounts Hub
- Average Bail Amounts in California
- Felony vs. Misdemeanor Bail
- Vandalism (PC 594) Bail Amounts
- Kidnapping Bail Amounts
- California Bail Cost Calculator
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