Outdoor Cooking in Bowie, MD (2026)
2 verified outdoor cooking rules for Bowie, Maryland, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
BBQ & Propane Rules
The City of Bowie generally bans open storage of household items in yards, but City Code § 5-7 carves out patio heaters, firepits and grills: they may sit outside without violating the exterior-storage rule as long as their use follows Prince George's County Fire Marshal regulations and any City health, safety and welfare rules for those items.
Bowie Grill and Patio Heater Storage Rule
Light RestrictionsBowie City Code § 5-7
All camping, lawn care, maintenance and construction materials, tools and equipment, except as specifically authorized elsewhere in this Code, shall be stored within a building or completely screened so as not to be visible from adjoining properties or public street right-of-way, except for the following: ... [6] Patio heaters, firepits and grills subject to the regulations of the Prince George...
Smoker Rules
In the City of Bowie, private grills in city parks are limited without a permit: cooking surfaces over six square feet or specialized equipment like oil fryers and steamers require a City Manager-approved permit in designated pavilions and group areas. Fires must be extinguished before anyone leaves, and hot grills or ashes can never sit unattended without a responsible adult within 10 feet.
Bowie Park Grill and Fire Rules
Some RestrictionsBowie City Code § 17-2B
§ 17-2. Park rules. ... B. Fires. Fires are allowed in fireplaces only, or in other authorized locations, as follows: (1) Private grills may be used in designated family areas without a City permit and may be used in designated pavilions and group areas upon the issuance of a City permit; provided, however, that no private grill with a cooking surface area exceeding six square feet and other sp...
Looking for Prince George's County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bowie city rules.
Outdoor Cooking in Prince George's County →