2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Orange County, California.
Verified from official government sources
At single-family homes in unincorporated Orange County, propane and charcoal grills are generally allowed with common-sense fire safety. At apartments, condos, and townhomes, the California Fire Code bans charcoal and gas grills on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction, unless the building is sprinklered. OCFA enforces these rules.
Outdoor smokers in unincorporated Orange County are treated as cooking devices under the California Fire Code (enforced by OCFA), not as recreational fires. At single-family homes they are generally allowed; at apartments/condos/townhomes, charcoal and other open-flame smokers are banned on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction unless the building is sprinklered.
2 cities in Orange County have their own outdoor cooking rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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