Monterey County, CA Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)

Charcoal and wood smokers are treated the same as other charcoal burners and open-flame cooking devices under the California Fire Code, adopted in unincorporated Monterey County through County Code Chapter 18.09. California Fire Code Section 308.1.4 prohibits operating charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction. As with grills, one- and two-family dwellings are exempt from the combustible-construction restriction, LP-gas devices with a container not over 2.5 pounds water capacity are allowed, and the restriction is relaxed where the building, balcony, or deck is protected by an automatic sprinkler system. For apartment and condominium residents this generally rules out using a charcoal or pellet smoker on a combustible balcony. Single-family homeowners may use a backyard smoker, but because roughly 80% of Monterey County is rated high, very high, or extreme fire threat — including Big Sur and the Santa Lucia Mountains — a smoker producing hot coals and embers for long periods should be kept well away from vegetation, fences, and structures, used on a non-combustible surface, never left unattended, and not operated on windy days or during red-flag warnings and declared fire restrictions. A garden hose or extinguisher should always be on hand, and ash and coals must be fully cooled before disposal.