Detroit's Outdoor Cooking: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles outdoor cooking a little differently. In Detroit, Michigan, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Smoker Rules

Detroit lets you run a smoker, grill, or barbecue in your own rear or side yard without a permit, as long as it stays clear of structures and stays supervised.

Key details: No permit needed: for compliant backyard use. Clearance: 10 feet from structures/property line. Placement: rear or side yard only. Cover: not under a roof or enclosure. Max fine: $500 civil infraction.

Municipal civil infraction, fine up to $500.00 under § 18-1-82(c) for unlawful open burning; the property owner also bears fire-suppression costs and other liability under § 18-1-84.

The rules around smoker rules in Detroit lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

BBQ & Propane Rules

Detroit requires outdoor cooking units, grills, barbecues, smokers, ovens not attached to a building, to sit in the rear or side yard, at least 10 feet from structures or the property line, and never under a roof or enclosure.

Key details: Minimum clearance: 10 feet from structures or property line. Placement: Rear or side yard only. Covered areas: Not allowed under roof or enclosure. Max fine: $500 civil infraction. Enforcing agency: Detroit Fire Department.

Open burning outside these terms, including a grill placed too close to a structure or run under a roof, is a municipal civil infraction carrying a fine of up to $500.00 under Sec. 18-1-82.

The Bottom Line

Detroit's outdoor cooking rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Detroit is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Detroit's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.