City Hall and other offices will be closed to the public from December 23 to January 3, but appointments are available upon request. Public safety and emergency services remain available 24/7.  

Outdoor Grills

  1. It is anticipated that many backyard barbecue’s will be in use during a power outage. Please exercise extreme caution during these times of elevated fire risk and keep safety in mind when setting up, using and cleaning your BBQ grill. Unattended cooking remains the number one cause of fires and fire related injuries in San Rafael and throughout Marin County. This includes both inside and outside cooking: Please Watch What You Heat!
  2. Please NEVER use a grill indoors including garages, overhangs and canopies.
  3. Grills are not permitted on balconies of apartments and condominium apartments within 10’ of combustible construction. Do not operate a grill right next to your home or other combustible material.
  4. Keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose or bucket of sand nearby to douse a grill fire that gets out of control.
  5. Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
  6. The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
  7. Keep children and pets away from the grill area.
  8. Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
  9. Never leave your grill unattended.

Charcoal grills:

  • There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel.
  • If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
  • Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
  • There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.
  • When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container add water before disposal. Keep ash container off of your wood deck and away from your house. We have experienced many fires due to improper disposal of hot ashes and briquettes.

Propane grills

  • Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off the gas tank and grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department. If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.
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