Outdoor Cooking in Berkeley, CA (2026)
2 verified outdoor cooking rules for Berkeley, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
BBQ & Propane Rules
Berkeley bars storing an LP-gas cylinder bigger than 2.5 pounds water capacity, which covers a standard 20-pound barbecue tank, or a portable propane tank inside any building classed as Assembly, hotel, apartment, or residential-care occupancy unless the Fire Code specifically authorizes it. The rule reaches apartment buildings and condos directly, so a spare grill tank has to stay outdoors.
Berkeley Propane Tank Storage Limits
Significant RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code § 19.48.120 (California Fire Code § 6104.1.1)
SECTION 6104 – LOCATION OF LP-GAS CONTAINERS 6104.1.1 Restrictions on storage of LP-gas containers. It shall be unlawful to store any liquefied petroleum gas cylinder with a capacity greater than 2-1/2 lbs. water capacity or a portable tank within any structure or building with an occupancy classification of A, R-1, R-2 or R-4, unless specifically authorized by this Code.
Smoker Rules
Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 6.15 prohibits barbecues and open fires on public property including parks, sidewalks, streets, median strips and rights-of-way, unless the fire is a permitted street event or block party, a pre-approved City facility barbecue, a barbecue inside a City park, or a fire in a pre-existing park apparatus built for it. The City Manager enforces additional posted park restrictions.
Berkeley Bans Barbecues and Fires on Public Property
Significant RestrictionsBerkeley, CA, Municipal Code § 6.15.030 (Unauthorized Barbecues and Fires on Public Property)
A. All barbecues or fires on public property are prohibited, except: 1. Fires or barbecues permitted pursuant to Chapter 13.44 ("Street Events" and "Block Parties", as defined therein), Chapter 6.020.260.B (prior written approval from the Marina Supervisor), or barbecues at a City facility pre-approved by the City Manager; 2. Barbecues in a City park; or 3. Fires contained in a pre-...
Looking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Berkeley city rules.
Outdoor Cooking in Alameda County →