Cupertino has no ordinance targeting backyard smokers, so the adopted California Fire Code and air-district rules apply. Wood, pellet, and charcoal smokers are allowed at homes with safe clearance, but may not be used on combustible multifamily balconies.
Backyard smokers are treated like other open-flame and solid-fuel cooking devices under Cupertino's adopted 2022 California Fire Code (CMC Chapter 16.40); there is no separate smoker ordinance. At single-family homes, wood, pellet, and charcoal smokers are allowed with sensible clearance from structures and combustibles, and must be attended while in use. At apartments and condos, California Fire Code Section 308 restricts charcoal and other solid-fuel cooking devices on or near combustible balconies and decks unless the building is sprinklered. Smoke must not create a public nuisance, and only clean cooking wood or pellets should be burned. In the foothill fire zone, keep smokers away from dry vegetation, maintain defensible space, and avoid use during red flag conditions.
Using a solid-fuel smoker on a combustible multifamily balcony contrary to Fire Code Section 308, or letting a smoker create a persistent smoke nuisance, can draw fire or code enforcement. Fully extinguish ash before disposal, especially in the fire zone.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Under California's SB 1383, Cupertino residents and businesses must keep food scraps and yard trimmings out of the trash and use Recology South Bay's organic...
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Artificial turf is not counted as drought-tolerant landscaping in California, and under SB 676 (Government Code 53087.7) cities like Cupertino may regulate s...
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Cupertino's Water-Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 14.15) implements California's MWELO and caps turf at 25% of landscape area, favoring...
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Cupertino places no ban on residential rainwater harvesting and actively encourages on-site rainwater and graywater capture in its Water-Efficient Landscape ...
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Cupertino has permanent water-waste prohibitions under Municipal Code Chapter 15.32, banning runoff, hosing pavement, and un-nozzled hoses. Water is supplied...
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Cupertino declares overgrown weeds and dry brush a fire nuisance under Municipal Code Chapter 9.08, enforced through a Santa Clara County weed abatement prog...
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