Outdoor restaurant heaters in LA must follow LAFC Section 61 propane storage limits, LAMC Section 11.10 Board of Engineering Commissioners rules for sidewalk fixtures, and CARB outdoor heater emissions standards. AB-1346 small-engine rules do not apply to patio heaters.
Patio heaters fall under multiple agencies. LAFC §61 limits on-site propane to small cylinders (typically 20 pounds each, with day-use limits) and requires safe exchange storage away from egress paths. LAMC §11.10 governs fixture placement, anchoring, and clearance from buildings on public sidewalks. CARB rules limit nitrogen oxide emissions from natural-gas outdoor heaters and ban high-emission models from sale. Restaurants must keep heaters at least three feet from combustibles, install tip-over shutoff valves, and never leave them unattended overnight. AB-1346 covers gas leaf blowers and lawn mowers, not heaters.
Excess propane, unanchored heaters, or non-compliant emissions can trigger LAFD red-tags, LADBS removal orders, and CARB enforcement, plus fines under LAMC and LAFC penalty schedules.
Los Angeles, CA
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See how Los Angeles's outdoor heater rules rules stack up against other locations.
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