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

Outdoor cooking in Merced is governed by the California Fire Code adopted at Merced Municipal Code Chapter 17.32 (the 'Fire Prevention Code'), enforced by the City of Merced Fire Department. A standard 20-pound barbecue cylinder is allowed outside a single- or two-family home without a fire-code permit under CFC Chapter 61 (LP-Gas), and LP-gas tanks must be stored and used outdoors. For apartments, condominiums, and other multifamily buildings, the California Fire Code (Section 308.1.4, as adopted) generally provides that charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices shall not be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction, with limited exceptions for one- and two-family dwellings - so balcony grilling rules are stricter than for detached homes. Open-flame cooking must be conducted safely away from structures and combustibles. Charcoal and wood smoke is also subject to San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District rules, though one-off residential cooking is not the District's enforcement focus. Residents should keep grills well clear of fences, eaves, and dry vegetation, and take added care during high-wind or red-flag conditions. There is no separate City permit for ordinary residential barbecuing.