Outdoor Cooking in Yonkers, NY

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

BBQ & Propane Rules

Yonkers City Code § 59-41H lets the Fire Department order the elimination of any barbecue apparatus or cooking appliance used on a building's terraces, fire escapes, halls or cellars, or anywhere else it creates a fire hazard, reaching exactly where propane grills end up in multifamily buildings.

Key details: Banned locations: terraces, fire escapes, halls, cellars. Trigger: Fire Dept finds a fire hazard. Mechanism: elimination order, § 59-41. Enforcing agency: Yonkers Fire Department. Related standard: § 59-44 open-flame hazards.

Ignoring a Fire Department elimination order issued under § 59-41 exposes the owner and any person who assisted the violation to the code-enforcement, civil and criminal remedies set out in Article II, including the enhanced Class II offense tier used elsewhere in Chapter 59: fines of $200 to $1,000 criminally or $500 to $7,500 civilly, per § 59-40E's cross-reference to Article II violations.

This is one of the stricter rules in Yonkers's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Smoker Rules

Yonkers City Code § 103-82 makes it unlawful to kindle a fire, barbecue, grill, portable stove or burning charcoal or wood on any City street, sidewalk or public property unless a block-party or event permit has already been issued. A violation is a Class II offense.

Key details: Covered equipment: fire, barbecue, grill, stove, charcoal, wood. Location covered: City streets, sidewalks, public property. Exception: approved block-party/event permit only. Penalty: Class II offense. Adopted: 8-9-2005 by G.O. No. 8-2005.

A violation of § 103-82 is expressly a Class II offense: under the City's general penalty schedule at § 1-21, that carries a criminal fine of $100 to $5,000 and up to 15 days in jail, or a civil penalty of $250 to $5,000, for cooking on a City street or sidewalk without an event permit.

Compared to other cities, Yonkers takes a harder line on smoker rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Yonkers is tougher than many cities when it comes to outdoor cooking. Out of the 2 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Yonkers, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Yonkers's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.