Rohnert Park, CA Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)

Rohnert Park splits outdoor cooking equipment into two buckets under Chapter 8.24, Incinerators and Barbecue Pits. Anyone who wants to construct, locate, install or maintain an incinerator on their property first needs a permit from the fire chief approving the exact type and location under RPMC § 8.24.010(A). A barbecue pit that is an independent structure, meaning it is built into the yard rather than a store-bought grill, needs the same fire chief sign-off on its location and type under subsection (B). The fire chief can revoke that approval later if the site turns into a nuisance or fire hazard and can order the owner to relocate the unit or stop burning in it.

Subsection (C) draws the key line for backyard cooks: it bars any barbecue pit from being used to burn trash or other combustible waste, but it also states plainly that this chapter shall not be applicable to portable barbecue devices when burning charcoal for cooking purposes. A charcoal kettle grill, offset smoker or similar portable unit therefore falls outside the permit and siting requirements entirely. Whatever is installed, whether incinerator or fixed barbecue pit, must carry a fire-chief-approved spark arrestor and be kept in good working condition under subsections (D) and (E). Recreational and food-cooking fires generally are also carved out of the citywide open-fire ban in RPMC § 8.20.030(A), reinforcing that cooking with fire is allowed so long as it is not a fixed, unapproved installation. Violations of Chapter 8.24 are misdemeanors under § 8.24.030, punishable by up to $500 in fines or six months in jail, or charged instead as infractions carrying escalating fines of $50, $100 and $250 for repeat violations within a year.