Backyard pellet, wood, and charcoal smokers are not separately regulated in Moreno Valley but are subject to MVMC Chapter 9.08 noise standards, California Fire Code clearance rules (MVMC Title 8), and the South Coast Air Quality Management District's burn-day system. Drifting smoke can be cited as a public nuisance.
Moreno Valley has no dedicated smoker ordinance. Compliance is built from: (1) MVMC Chapter 9.08 noise limits - smoker motors, drum smokers, and outdoor sound systems must not exceed the standards measured at the property line (commercial-zone 55 dBA cap on attention-attracting devices, with residential nuisance enforcement for excess noise); (2) MVMC Title 8 / California Fire Code Section 308 - the device must be operated away from combustible construction, never inside a garage, and never under a covered patio in a way that traps heat; (3) South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 444 governs open burning - and SCAQMD declares no-burn days (typically in winter) on which wood-burning is prohibited. Residential cooking fires using small amounts of clean dry wood for food preparation are generally exempt from Rule 444, but large smokers running for extended periods are scrutinized. Persistent drifting smoke can be cited as a public nuisance under MVMC Title 1 general provisions or pursued in civil court under California Civil Code §3479.
Smoke-nuisance complaints typically start with a warning from Code Compliance (951-413-3340) and escalate to administrative citations ($100/$200/$500 per Cal. Gov. Code §36900). SCAQMD can issue separate Notices of Violation for burning on declared no-burn days. Civil action for nuisance smoke is available under Cal. Civ. Code §3479.
Moreno Valley, CA
Amplified music in Moreno Valley must stop at 10 PM weekdays and 11 PM weekends, measured plainly audible at the neighbor property line.
Moreno Valley, CA
Vehicles left on public streets for more than 72 hours without moving may be tagged and towed under California Vehicle Code section 22669. Inoperable, wrecke...
Moreno Valley, CA
Livestock such as horses, goats, sheep, and cattle are allowed only in Rural Residential and Agricultural zones in Moreno Valley, subject to minimum lot size...
Moreno Valley, CA
Moreno Valley has VHFHSZ along Box Springs Mountain and the Badlands. Chapter 7A and AB 38 disclosures apply to homes in these mapped fire zones.
Moreno Valley, CA
Moreno Valley does not regulate residential lawn ornaments, statuary, religious items, or seasonal yard decor by ordinance. The only city-level limits are si...
Moreno Valley, CA
Moreno Valley has no ordinance specifically governing residential inflatable holiday displays. Setup is subject only to general standards - electrical safety...
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