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

No specific Calaveras County ordinance regulating residential smokers was found; outdoor cooking is treated as recreational cooking rather than regulated open burning. The Calaveras County APCD Open Burning Regulations define 'Recreational Activities' as open outdoor fires used to cook food for human consumption (Rule 300.O) and, under Rule 308.2.F, allow such fires only when the material burned is limited to charcoal, untreated wood, or cooking fuels, managed per Rule 305, and ignited only with approved devices (Rule 300.E - devices that ignite without producing black smoke; tires, tar, and oil are not approved). A wood- or charcoal-fired smoker fits this recreational-cooking category, so it is not the regulated disposal burning that triggers burn-day and permit rules. Practical fire safety governs the rest: place the smoker on a non-combustible surface, keep it well clear of dry grass, brush, fences, structures, and overhangs, never leave it unattended, dispose of ash and coals only after they are fully cold (douse with water), and keep water or an extinguisher within reach. Because most of the unincorporated county lies in High/Very High fire hazard terrain in the State Responsibility Area, residents should avoid using a smoker during red-flag warnings, high winds, or active fire restrictions, and confirm there is no broader burn ban in effect. Smoke that becomes a nuisance to neighbors can also draw complaints, so keep combustion clean and avoid burning wet or treated wood.