San Francisco prohibits open-flame cooking devices including charcoal, propane, and pellet grills on combustible balconies, decks, or within 10 feet of any combustible construction in multi-family buildings under San Francisco Fire Code Section 308.1.4, adopted from the California Fire Code with amendments. Electric grills are permitted.
SFFC 308.1.4 (adopted from CFC 308) bans open-flame devices and devices with an LP-gas container larger than 1 lb on balconies of buildings with three or more units when located within 10 feet of combustible construction. The rule covers wood and pellet smokers, propane and natural-gas grills, charcoal grills, and outdoor fire features. Exceptions: single-family dwellings and duplexes; commercial cooking installations meeting SFFC Chapter 6; one- and two-family homes with a permanent fixed installation per SFFC 603.1.2; and devices that produce only electric heat. SF Fire Department enforces the prohibition together with SFDBI for tenant complaints. Many SF multi-family buildings post no-grilling signage at building entries and balcony doors. Storage of LP-gas containers in residential occupancies is limited to 1 lb cylinders only inside units; larger cylinders must be stored outdoors away from exits per SFFC 6109.
Violations are infractions under SFFC 109.4 carrying fines of $100-$500 per occurrence with the building owner usually receiving the citation. Continued non-compliance can result in lease enforcement, removal of the grill at owner expense, and referral to the Fire Marshal for administrative penalties up to $1,500 per day per CFC 109.4.1.
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