Midwest City's Relaxed Approach to Outdoor Cooking: What's Allowed

If you live in Midwest City or are thinking about moving there, outdoor cooking are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Midwest City has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of outdoor cooking, and some of them might surprise you.

Smoker Rules

Midwest City exempts outdoor grilling and smoking with charcoal, wood, propane or natural gas from its open-burning ordinance, so backyard cooks need no burn permit, and Section 15-105 keeps barbecue and charcoal grills exempt even during burn bans.

Key details: Exempt fuels: charcoal, wood, propane, natural gas. Permit needed: none for grills or smokers. Governing law: Code § 15-101(a), Article IV. Burn-ban exception: grills stay legal, § 15-105(e).

No permit or violation applies to normal grill or smoker use. Using an unapproved fire that exceeds the grilling exemption is treated as illegal open burning, a misdemeanor with fines of $250-$500 per Section 15-112.

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

BBQ & Propane Rules

Midwest City exempts charcoal, wood, propane and natural gas grilling or cooking appliances from the city's open burning ban, so no burn permit is required to fire up a backyard grill.

Key details: Permit needed: None for grilling appliances. Covers: Charcoal, wood, propane, natural gas. Governing section: § 15-101(a), Ord. No. 3401. Bonfires/burn piles: Still need a fire permit.

Using a grill to burn yard waste, brush or trash isn't covered by the grilling exemption: that's open burning of refuse, banned outright under Sec. 15-104, punishable by a $250 to $500 fine under Sec. 15-112.

The rules around bbq & propane rules in Midwest City lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Midwest City gives residents more room on outdoor cooking. 2 of the 2 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

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