BBQ & Propane Rules: Fontana vs San Bernardino

Can I use a propane grill on my Fontana apartment balcony?

Generally no. CFC §308.1.4 prohibits open-flame devices and propane tanks larger than 2.5 lbs on combustible balconies in buildings with three or more units, unless the building is fully sprinklered. Listed electric grills are an exception. San Bernardino County Fire enforces the rule in Fontana.

Do No-Burn Days affect my BBQ?

Only wood-burning. SCAQMD Rule 444 covers Fontana and bans residential wood combustion on No-Burn Days between Nov 1 and Feb 28. Propane and natural-gas grilling are exempt and may be used on any day. Check before-you-burn alerts daily during the wood-burning season.

Do I need a permit to use a propane or charcoal BBQ at home?

No. Per County Fire's Outdoor Fire Requirements Guide, residential-style BBQs require no permit and no fee. The main rule is that BBQs are not allowed on combustible patios or balconies of multi-family dwellings unless the building is sprinklered.

Can I grill on my apartment balcony?

Not on a combustible balcony of a multi-family dwelling unless the building has fire sprinklers. This follows the adopted California Fire Code restriction on open-flame cooking devices on apartment and condo balconies.

Is a backyard BBQ pit treated differently from a grill?

Yes. A BBQ pit (an in-ground cooking fire up to 3 ft x 2 ft) requires a permit and must be at least 20 feet from structures or combustibles, burning only clean wood or charcoal. It is prohibited in Wildfire Risk Areas except in organized camps with written permission.