Outdoor Cooking in Chico, CA (2026)
3 verified outdoor cooking rules for Chico, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
BBQ & Propane Rules
Chico parks restrict fires and grills to designated masonry or metal fireplaces, pits, or grills: charcoal briquettes and portable propane barbecues are allowed only there, with nighttime and Red Flag Warning curfews.
Chico Park BBQ and Propane Grill Rules
Some RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 12.18.230
Except as herein otherwise provided, it is unlawful to make any fire at any point in any park, greenway, or open space, in the city, except at regularly established places for such purposes. "Regularly Established Places" are defined to be masonry, concrete or metal constructed fireplaces, pits or grills in designated city parks. Only charcoal briquettes from manufactured sources shall be used ...
Smoker Rules
Chico requires outdoor barbeques and smokers to sit 10 feet from structures, stay uncovered, and be kept off unprotected combustible balconies.
Chico Outdoor Barbeque Clearance Rules
Some RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 9.36.030
Outdoor barbeques shall not be operated on a combustible surface and shall not be within 10 feet of any structure or combustible material. Use is limited to open air and shall not be operated under a cover or roof. Charcoal-fueled or open-flame barbeques shall not be operated on a combustible balcony that is not protected by an automatic fire sprinkler system.
Outdoor Kitchen Permits
Chico treats stationary barbecues, fire pits, and built-in outdoor cooking equipment as accessory structures, requiring them to meet the same 3-foot setbacks as sheds and pools under Table 5-9.
Chico Outdoor Kitchen & Barbecue Setbacks
Some RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 19.76.020, Table 5-9
Stationary barbecue, fire pit Side 3 ft. Street side 3 ft. Rear 3 ft. Notes: (1) Where a parcel is situated so that the front, side, or rear property lines are not readily determinable, required setbacks shall be established by the Director. (2) In no case shall a structure, projecti...
Looking for Butte County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Chico city rules.
Outdoor Cooking in Butte County →