2 rules for unincorporated San Benito County, California.
Verified from official government sources
There is no San Benito County ordinance banning backyard barbecues; single-family homes can grill with charcoal or propane. California Fire Code Section 308 restricts open-flame cooking on combustible balconies of multifamily buildings (10-foot rule), and small BBQ propane cylinders are exempt. Fire-season common sense and any CAL FIRE restrictions still apply on rural land.
Backyard meat smokers are legal in unincorporated San Benito County; no county ordinance bans them. Wood- or charcoal-fired smokers fall under California Fire Code open-flame clearances and Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) smoke/nuisance rules. Keep smokers clear of structures and dry grass, and avoid creating a smoke nuisance for neighbors.
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