Grilling rules in unincorporated Santa Barbara County come from the adopted California Fire Code, not a special county BBQ ordinance. Charcoal grills and LP-gas grills with a container over 2.5 pounds water capacity may not be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction, except at one- and two-family dwellings or in sprinklered buildings (CFC 308.1.4).
Backyard and balcony grilling in the unincorporated county is governed by the adopted California Fire Code section 308.1.4 (open-flame cooking devices), which applies to multifamily buildings. Under that section, charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices shall not be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction. The same 10-foot rule applies to LP-gas burners whose container has a water capacity greater than 2.5 pounds (about 1 pound of propane). The code provides important exceptions: the prohibition does not apply to one- and two-family dwellings; it does not apply where buildings, balconies, and decks are protected by an automatic sprinkler system; and it does not apply to LP-gas cooking devices with a container water capacity not greater than 2.5 pounds (the small camping-style canisters). In practice, this means a single-family homeowner can use a charcoal or full-size propane grill in the backyard, while apartment and condo residents on combustible balconies are limited to a small 1-pound propane canister unless the building is sprinklered. Note that storing (versus operating) a grill on a balcony is treated differently from using it; the operational prohibition is the safety focus. During Red Flag warnings and high fire danger, County Fire may issue additional restrictions on open-flame cooking. Because the county sits in an extreme wildfire landscape, keep grills clear of dry vegetation and never leave a lit grill unattended. Confirm any building-specific rules and current fire restrictions with Santa Barbara County Fire.
Operating a charcoal grill or an LP-gas grill with a container over 2.5 pounds water capacity on a combustible apartment/condo balcony, or within 10 feet of combustible construction, violates California Fire Code section 308.1.4 (unless the building is sprinklered or it is a one- or two-family dwelling). County Fire may also issue temporary open-flame cooking restrictions during high fire danger. A grill that ignites a wildfire can bring liability for suppression costs.
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