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

Solano County does not have a unique ordinance regulating backyard barbecues; grilling at a single-family home is governed by the adopted 2025 California Fire Code's general open-flame and cooking provisions plus common-sense fire safety. The key restriction is in CFC Section 308.1.4 (open-flame cooking devices): charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices shall not be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction. For propane, LP-gas grills with a container water capacity greater than 2.5 pounds (about a 1-pound propane capacity) likewise may not be located on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction. These balcony/setback restrictions have important exceptions: one- and two-family dwellings, and buildings, balconies, and decks protected by an automatic sprinkler system. In practice this means apartment and condo residents generally cannot use charcoal or full-size propane grills on a combustible balcony unless sprinklers are present, while houses are exempt. During red-flag warnings and high fire danger - frequent in the wildfire-prone western county - residents should keep grills away from dry vegetation, have water on hand, and follow any temporary fire authority restrictions. Propane cylinder storage follows California Fire Code Chapter 61 (keep cylinders outdoors, away from building openings and below-grade spaces).