Mendocino County, CA Outdoor Cooking: BBQ & Propane Rules (2026)

Mendocino County does not maintain a barbecue ordinance separate from the adopted California Fire Code (CFC). CFC Section 308.1.4 provides that charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices shall not be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction. This primarily affects multifamily housing (apartments and condos of three or more units), where most balconies and decks are combustible wood-framed construction. Two exceptions apply: one or two-family dwellings are not subject to the balcony restriction, and LP-gas (propane) cooking devices are allowed near combustible construction if the LP-gas container has a water capacity no greater than 2.5 pounds (the small canisters used on tabletop grills). Buildings where the balcony, deck, and structure are protected by an automatic sprinkler system are also exempt. In single-family residential settings - the predominant pattern in unincorporated Mendocino County - standard propane and charcoal grills are generally allowed with safe placement. During Red Flag Warnings or CAL FIRE restrictions, open-flame cooking outdoors may be further limited, and grills should always be kept clear of dry vegetation given the county's high wildfire hazard. Hot coals must be fully extinguished before disposal.