Outdoor Cooking in Placer County, CA (2026)
2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Placer County, California.
Verified from official government sources
BBQ & Propane Rules
Short-term rentals in unincorporated Placer County may only use grills the owner installed, kept at least 10 feet from structures and flammable material and never beneath trees, umbrellas, or decks. Charcoal grills are banned outright, guests cannot bring their own grills, and every open flame, including propane barbecues, is prohibited on National Weather Service Red Flag days.
Placer County Short-Term Rental Grill Rules
Some RestrictionsPlacer County Code § 9.42.090(C)
1. Grills and Barbeques. Grills and barbeques are not permitted beneath a potentially flammable source including trees, umbrellas, decks, or other appurtenant structures, and shall be no less than 10 feet away from a structure or as far as can be accommodated and any flammable materials, and/or protected by flame-retardant mats as allowed per local fire department. Charcoal grills of any type ...
Smoker Rules
Placer County lets residents light a cooking fire, grill or barbecue on their own unincorporated property without a burn permit, but Code Section 9.32.080(D) still requires clearing flammable material within 10 feet and keeping one able-bodied person watching the fire at all times. Any other open burning, such as brush or debris, needs a permit issued by a state or federal ranger or the local fire district between April 15 and December 1 each year.
Placer County Outdoor Cooking Fire Rules
Light RestrictionsPlacer County Code § 9.32.080(D)
No permit shall be required under this section for the owner of any property or for any person with written authorization in his immediate possession from the owner of the property to light or maintain in the unincorporated territory in the county, a camp or cooking fire, cooking grill or barbecue device, provided the land around such camp or cooking fire, cooking grill or barbecue device is cl...
Outdoor Cooking by City in Placer County
1 cities in Placer County have their own outdoor cooking rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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