2 rules for unincorporated San Mateo County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Outdoor cooking with BBQ grills and propane is generally allowed at residences in unincorporated San Mateo County and is not restricted by the open-burning or Spare the Air wood rules. The California Fire Code regulates where open-flame and LP-gas grills may be used near combustibles and on multifamily balconies.
Backyard smokers and wood/charcoal BBQs are allowed at residences in unincorporated San Mateo County as cooking devices, not regulated open burning. But because smokers burn wood or charcoal, BAAQMD's Spare the Air guidance discourages their use on no-burn days, and the California Fire Code restricts solid-fuel cooking near combustibles and in high fire areas.
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