Chico, CA Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Structure clearance
- 10 feet minimum
- Balcony use
- Needs fire sprinklers
- Location
- Private property or permitted park use
- Enforcement
- Misdemeanor or infraction
Summary
Chico requires outdoor barbeques and smokers to sit 10 feet from structures, stay uncovered, and be kept off unprotected combustible balconies.
Outdoor barbeques shall not be operated on a combustible surface and shall not be within 10 feet of any structure or combustible material. Use is limited to open air and shall not be operated under a cover or roof. Charcoal-fueled or open-flame barbeques shall not be operated on a combustible balcony that is not protected by an automatic fire sprinkler system.
Full Breakdown
Chico Municipal Code Chapter 9.36 governs any outdoor barbeque or smoker used in the city. The appliance can't sit on a combustible surface or within 10 feet of any structure or combustible material, must be used in the open air (no cover or roof), and if it's charcoal-fueled or open-flame, it can't be run on a combustible balcony unless that balcony has an automatic fire sprinkler system. The open flame has to stay contained inside the unit at all times, and use on public property or right-of-way needs a California Fire Code Section 105 permit.
Violations & Fines
Enforced as a misdemeanor or infraction by the city attorney or via administrative citation under Chico Municipal Code Chapter 1.15.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a smoker on my apartment balcony in Chico?
How far from my house does a barbeque or smoker need to be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chico
California rules heatmap·Compare Chico to another location·View the California outdoor cooking overview
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