Apple Valley, CA Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)

The Town of Apple Valley does not have a dedicated ordinance governing residential backyard smokers (offset, pellet, charcoal, or propane). A smoker used for cooking is treated as an outdoor cooking device, not as open burning of yard waste, so it does not require the Apple Valley Fire Protection District's $15 burn permit. Outdoor cooking is governed by the California Fire Code, adopted and amended locally by the District through Ordinance 67. As with grills, the most notable Fire Code restriction applies to multifamily settings, where open-flame and solid-fuel cooking devices generally may not be used or stored on combustible balconies or near combustible construction at apartments and condominiums. For single-family residents, smokers are permitted with common-sense precautions consistent with the District's defensible-space guidance: keep the smoker clear of dry vegetation, fences, and structures, never leave it unattended while lit, and dispose of ash and coals only after they are fully cold. Because Apple Valley is in the High Desert with dry brush and frequent strong winds, the District emphasizes clearing combustibles around heat sources and exercising caution on windy days. Smoke from cooking is generally distinct from the open-burning air-quality limits enforced regionally by the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District (MDAQMD), but persistent smoke that creates a nuisance could still draw a complaint. There is no separate Town permit for a residential smoker; apartment dwellers should verify balcony restrictions with AVFPD.