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

Outdoor cooking with a barbecue is permitted at residences in unincorporated Merced County. Merced County Code Section 9.24.160-which otherwise prohibits open outdoor fires without a permit-exempts heating, cooking, and lighting appliances used within buildings, at 'dooryard premises' (the immediate area around a home), and at established campsites. A propane or charcoal grill used at a residence falls within this cooking exemption and does not require a burn permit. The propane supply itself is governed by the 2022 California Fire Code adopted in Merced County Code Section 9.24.010: small portable LP-gas cylinders of the size used for barbecues are generally allowed without a permit, while larger quantities or permanently installed tanks trigger Fire Code permit and clearance requirements. Standard safety practices still apply-keep the grill a safe distance from structures, fences, and combustible vegetation, never use it indoors or in an enclosed space, and have a means of extinguishment nearby. Under Merced County Code Section 9.24.200, any outdoor fire, including a cooking fire, must be attended by an adult and fully extinguished before the person leaves. In multi-family settings, the California Fire Code restricts the use of open-flame and charcoal grills on combustible balconies near buildings. During declared high-fire-danger periods, the fire department may impose additional restrictions, so confirm before cooking with an open flame in dry conditions.