Chico, CA Outdoor Cooking: BBQ & Propane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Where allowed
- Designated fireplaces, pits, or grills only
- Fuel
- Manufactured charcoal or propane only
- Curfew
- 7pm-sunrise Oct-Mar; 9pm-sunrise Apr-Sep
- Red Flag Days
- All park fires prohibited
Summary
Chico parks restrict fires and grills to designated masonry or metal fireplaces, pits, or grills: charcoal briquettes and portable propane barbecues are allowed only there, with nighttime and Red Flag Warning curfews.
Except as herein otherwise provided, it is unlawful to make any fire at any point in any park, greenway, or open space, in the city, except at regularly established places for such purposes. "Regularly Established Places" are defined to be masonry, concrete or metal constructed fireplaces, pits or grills in designated city parks. Only charcoal briquettes from manufactured sources shall be used in Regularly Established Places. The use of portable propane barbecue devices is also allowed in Regularly Established Places only.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Supplement contains local legislation current through: Codified Resolution No. 53-26, adopted 7-14-26 and Ordinance No. 2622, adopted 6-2-26).
Full Breakdown
Under Chico Municipal Code § 12.18.230, open fires anywhere in a city park, greenway, or open space are unlawful except at 'Regularly Established Places': masonry, concrete, or metal fireplaces, pits, or grills built into designated parks. Only manufactured charcoal briquettes or portable propane barbecue devices may be used, and only at those fixed locations. Fires in BBQs or the Campfire Council Ring are additionally banned between 7:00 p.m. and sunrise from October through March, between 9:00 p.m. and sunrise from April through September, on designated Red Flag Fire Warning Days, and at other times the city deems necessary for public safety.
Violations & Fines
Building a fire or using a grill outside a Regularly Established Place, or during a curfew or Red Flag Warning, is enforceable as a misdemeanor or infraction under § 12.18.465.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a portable propane grill to a Chico park?
Is charcoal allowed at Chico parks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chico
California rules heatmap·Compare Chico to another location·View the California outdoor cooking overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.