Outdoor Cooking in Costa Mesa, CA (2026)
2 verified outdoor cooking rules for Costa Mesa, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
BBQ & Propane Rules
Costa Mesa's Fire Code exempts barbecues, grills and other portable cooking devices from its outdoor fireplace and fire pit rules entirely. Fixed or built-in gas-fueled fire pits and fireplaces still need Building Department approval and a 3-foot clearance from combustible material and vegetation at single-family homes, 10 feet at other residential occupancies, under § 307.6.1.
Costa Mesa BBQ & Gas Fire Pit Rules
Light RestrictionsCosta Mesa, CA, Municipal Code § 7-15 (Fire Code § 307.6 exception, § 307.6.1)
Exception: Barbeques, grills, and other portable devices intended solely for cooking. ... 307.6.1 Gas-fueled devices. Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and similar devices fueled by natural gas or liquefied-petroleum gas are allowed when approved by the Building Department and the device is designed to only burn a gas flame and not wood or other solid fuel. At R-3 occupancies, combustible construct...
Smoker Rules
Costa Mesa bans open fires and barbecues in city parks except at spots designated or permitted by the public services or administrative services director. Grilling at an undesignated spot counts as disorderly conduct, drawing ejection from the park and possible loss of park access after repeat violations.
Costa Mesa Park Barbecue and Open-Fire Rules
Some RestrictionsCosta Mesa, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 12-20(5)
When used in this title, the words "disorderly conduct" shall include any of the following conduct in any park: ... Make any fire or hold any barbecue except at places designated and/or permitted by the public services director or by the administrative services director. ... Ejection. Any person who commits any of the acts set forth in this section shall be guilty of disorderly conduct and shal...
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Costa Mesa city rules.
Outdoor Cooking in Orange County →