Apple Valley, CA Outdoor Cooking: BBQ & Propane Rules (2026)

The Town of Apple Valley does not publish an ordinance restricting ordinary backyard barbecuing at single-family homes, so propane and charcoal grills are generally permitted. Outdoor cooking is governed by the California Fire Code, which the Apple Valley Fire Protection District (AVFPD) adopts and amends through Ordinance 67. The most significant restriction in the statewide Fire Code applies to multifamily housing: open-flame cooking devices (charcoal and LPG/propane grills) generally may not be operated or stored on combustible balconies or within a set distance of combustible construction at apartments and condominiums, with narrow exceptions for buildings protected by automatic sprinklers or for one- and two-family dwellings. For single-family residents, the practical rules are common-sense fire safety consistent with the District's defensible-space guidance: keep grills clear of dry vegetation and structures, never leave a lit grill unattended, and store propane cylinders away from ignition sources and combustible materials. Because Apple Valley is High Desert with dry brush and strong winds, the District urges extra caution and clearing combustibles around any heat source, including grills and propane tanks. There is no separate Town permit required for a residential barbecue. Apartment and condo residents should confirm balcony grilling rules with AVFPD, since the adopted Fire Code restrictions and any local amendments under Ordinance 67 apply. For specifics, contact AVFPD at (760) 247-7618.