Placer County, CA Outdoor Cooking: BBQ & Propane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Placer County Code § 9.42.090(C)
- Minimum clearance
- 10 feet from structures and flammable material
- Charcoal grills
- Strictly prohibited at all short-term rentals
- Propane fire pits
- 20-pound tanks or smaller, must predate STR permit
- Red Flag days
- All outdoor open flame, including propane BBQs, banned
- First penalty
- $1,500 citation, one-hour cure period
Summary
Short-term rentals in unincorporated Placer County may only use grills the owner installed, kept at least 10 feet from structures and flammable material and never beneath trees, umbrellas, or decks. Charcoal grills are banned outright, guests cannot bring their own grills, and every open flame, including propane barbecues, is prohibited on National Weather Service Red Flag days.
1. Grills and Barbeques. Grills and barbeques are not permitted beneath a potentially flammable source including trees, umbrellas, decks, or other appurtenant structures, and shall be no less than 10 feet away from a structure or as far as can be accommodated and any flammable materials, and/or protected by flame-retardant mats as allowed per local fire department. Charcoal grills of any type are strictly prohibited. Guests shall not bring personal grills and barbeques to the short-term rental; only those provided with the short-term rental are permitted to be used as installed. ... 3. Red Flag Days. When a National Weather Service Red Flag Warning is in effect for the geographical area where the short-term rental is located, all sources of outdoor open flame (including gas/propane/pellet bbqs) are prohibited.
Full Breakdown
090(C)(1) provides: "Grills and barbeques are not permitted beneath a potentially flammable source including trees, umbrellas, decks, or other appurtenant structures, and shall be no less than 10 feet away from a structure or as far as can be accommodated and any flammable materials, and/or protected by flame-retardant mats as allowed per local fire department. Charcoal grills of any type are strictly prohibited. " Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits get their own rule in subsection (C)(2): open wood-burning pits, bonfires, and campfires are never allowed at an STR, but natural gas or propane fireplaces and fire pits using tanks of 20 pounds or smaller are acceptable outdoors if the unit is at least 10 feet from a structure and flammable materials and was already existing at the property; guests cannot bring their own propane fire pit. 080(L) before permit issuance and every three years thereafter.
Violations & Fines
Grill and outdoor fireplace violations fall under § 9.42.090(C) and are enforced through § 9.42.100(C): the county notifies the owner and local contact, then issues a $1,500 first administrative penalty. Failure to comply within one hour brings a $3,000 second penalty, and a further hour of noncompliance brings a $5,000 third penalty, after which the county may pursue nuisance abatement or judicial remedies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can short-term rental guests bring their own grill in Placer County?
How far does a grill have to be from the house?
Are propane fire pits allowed at Placer County short-term rentals?
What happens on a Red Flag fire-danger day?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Placer County
California rules heatmap·Compare Placer County to another location·View the California outdoor cooking overview
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