Brentwood, CA Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Portable barbecues
- Permit required in city parks
- Open fires/campfires
- Designated cooking areas or director permit only
- Candles/open-flame devices
- Barred without director permission
- Fire code reference
- 1998 Cal. Uniform Fire Code § 2501.17
- Minimum misdemeanor fine
- $1,000
Summary
Brentwood bars open flames, campfires, and barbecues in city parks and facilities without the director's permission, and portable barbecues specifically require a permit under Section 7.02.180(BB). Candles and other open-flame devices are separately barred under Section 7.02.140 except with director approval.
Except by permission of the director, candles and other open-flame devices are not allowed in city facilities or parks, as provided and defined by Section 2501.17 of the 1998 California Uniform Fire Code, as that section may be amended from time to time. ... ... T. Make or kindle a fire for any purpose, except at places provided for campfires or barbecues, unless prior permission shall be obtained therefor from the director, or leave a fire started by such person, or at director's direction, or used until such fire is completely extinguished; ... BB. ... Bringing portable barbecues into city parks or facilities without a permit; ... Unless otherwise provided, any person violating any of the provisions of this title or who causes, allows or permits any violation of this title is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable by a fine of at least one thousand dollars or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or by both such fine and imprisonment; and/or that person may receive an administrative citation as provided in Chapter 1.24 of this code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4604307; v5 updated 2025-12-09).
Full Breakdown
17 of the 1998 California Uniform Fire Code as amended. 180(T) bars making or kindling a fire for any purpose except at places provided for campfires or barbecues, unless the director gives prior permission, and requires any fire that is started to be fully extinguished before being left. Subsection (BB) of the same section separately makes it a prohibited act to bring a portable barbecue into a city park or facility without a permit, layering a device-specific permit requirement on top of the general open-flame rule.
150(A)(4) reinforce this by defining unlawful "camping" activity to include making or using any fire, flame, grill, portable stove, or similar flame-producing device for cooking on public property, except in city parks with designated barbecue and cooking areas using city-provided cooking facilities designed for that purpose. Together, these sections mean a resident can only fire up a smoker, grill, or portable barbecue in a designated cooking area, or elsewhere with a director's permit.
Violations & Fines
Bringing a portable barbecue into a Brentwood park without a permit, or lighting an unauthorized open flame outside a designated cooking area, is a prohibited act under Section 7.02.180, enforced as a misdemeanor under Section 7.07.020: a fine of at least $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both, or an administrative citation under Chapter 1.24. Parents remain responsible for damage caused by a minor's violation of the parks chapter under Section 7.02.180's opening clause.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my own barbecue grill to a Brentwood park?
Are candles allowed at a Brentwood park event?
What counts as an illegal fire in a Brentwood park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brentwood
California rules heatmap·Compare Brentwood to another location·View the California outdoor cooking overview
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