Smoker Rules: Vacaville vs Vallejo
How do smoker rules rules compare between Vacaville, CA and Vallejo, CA?
Vacaville and Vallejo have similar restriction levels.
Vacaville, CA
Solano County
Backyard smokers are allowed at homes in unincorporated Solano County with no special county ordinance. As open-flame cooking devices under the adopted California Fire Code, charcoal and wood smokers cannot be used on combustible multi-family balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction (one- and two-family homes are exempt), and fire-safe placement matters in wildfire-prone areas.
View full Vacaville rules →Vallejo, CA
Solano County
Backyard smokers are allowed at homes in unincorporated Solano County with no special county ordinance. As open-flame cooking devices under the adopted California Fire Code, charcoal and wood smokers cannot be used on combustible multi-family balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction (one- and two-family homes are exempt), and fire-safe placement matters in wildfire-prone areas.
View full Vallejo rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Vacaville | Vallejo |
|---|---|---|
| Backyard smoker (single-family) | Allowed - no special county ordinance | Allowed - no special county ordinance |
| Smokers on balconies | Banned within 10 ft of combustibles (CFC 308.1.4) | Banned within 10 ft of combustibles (CFC 308.1.4) |
| Exemptions | 1- & 2-family dwellings; sprinklered buildings | 1- & 2-family dwellings; sprinklered buildings |
| Cooking vs. open burning | Cooking smoke not regulated as open burning | Cooking smoke not regulated as open burning |
| Ember safety | Keep clear of vegetation in fire zones | Keep clear of vegetation in fire zones |
| Propane smokers | Follow CFC Chapter 61 cylinder rules | Follow CFC Chapter 61 cylinder rules |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Vacaville FAQ
Can I use a smoker in my backyard in unincorporated Solano County?
Yes. There is no special county ordinance for smokers, and single-family homes are exempt from the California Fire Code's balcony restrictions. Place the smoker on a noncombustible surface away from the house, fences, and dry brush, and avoid use during red-flag warnings or local burn bans in the wildfire-prone western county.
Will my smoker's smoke get me in trouble with the air district?
Generally no. Air districts (Yolo-Solano AQMD and Bay Area AQMD) regulate the open burning of vegetation and waste, not cooking. Ordinary smoke from a barbecue or smoker is not 'open burning.' However, dense, persistent smoke that bothers neighbors could still draw a nuisance complaint, so be considerate of where and when you smoke.
Vallejo FAQ
Can I use a smoker in my backyard in unincorporated Solano County?
Yes. There is no special county ordinance for smokers, and single-family homes are exempt from the California Fire Code's balcony restrictions. Place the smoker on a noncombustible surface away from the house, fences, and dry brush, and avoid use during red-flag warnings or local burn bans in the wildfire-prone western county.
Will my smoker's smoke get me in trouble with the air district?
Generally no. Air districts (Yolo-Solano AQMD and Bay Area AQMD) regulate the open burning of vegetation and waste, not cooking. Ordinary smoke from a barbecue or smoker is not 'open burning.' However, dense, persistent smoke that bothers neighbors could still draw a nuisance complaint, so be considerate of where and when you smoke.
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