Monterey, CA Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)

Monterey's parks and recreation rules (Chapter 23, "Regulations in All Recreation Areas") set the only citywide limit on outdoor fires and barbecues in this code, and they apply solely inside land the City owns, operates or maintains for recreation, including parks, beaches, greenbelts and gardens, as defined in Section 23-2. ; during permitted daytime hours, any fire must be fully contained within a City-provided fireplace or fire ring, or fully self-contained within a portable barbecue. The same subsection makes it a separate violation to dump charcoal, coals, embers or other barbecue residue onto a beach anywhere except a City fireplace or fire ring.

This is narrower than it sounds: it does not touch a backyard smoker, grill or fire pit on private residential property, because Section 23-2 defines "Recreation Area" as City-owned or controlled land, not private lots. 1) reaches uncontained rubbish fires and bonfires citywide instead. 5, for up to a week on a first offense and up to six months for a second violation within two years.