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

Siskiyou County does not publish a stand-alone barbecue ordinance; outdoor cooking is regulated through the adopted California Fire Code (the 2025 edition took effect January 1, 2026). California Fire Code 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. An exception applies where the building, balcony, or deck is protected by an automatic sprinkler system, and the restriction generally does not apply to one- and two-family dwellings. As a practical matter, this rule most affects apartments, condominiums, and multifamily housing; detached single-family homes have more flexibility but are still subject to general fire-safety duties. Given the county's severe wildfire risk, grilling should be done on a noncombustible surface, well clear of dry vegetation, brush, and overhanging branches, with a water source or extinguisher nearby — and grilling may be unsafe or restricted during red-flag fire-weather conditions. Propane tanks and cylinders that fuel grills must be stored and handled in accordance with California Fire Code Chapter 61 and NFPA 58. Residents should keep cylinders outdoors, away from ignition sources and combustible vegetation, and never use a propane grill indoors or in an enclosed space.