Outdoor Cooking in Scottsdale, AZ (2026)
3 verified outdoor cooking rules for Scottsdale, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
BBQ & Propane Rules
Scottsdale bans charcoal burners, chimineas, barbecues and other open-flame cooking devices from combustible balconies and from within 10 feet of combustible construction. One- and two-family homes are exempt, and a narrow exception allows gas grills on sprinklered multifamily balconies with a small LP-gas tank.
Scottsdale Balcony Barbecue and Open-Flame Rule
Significant RestrictionsScottsdale Code of Ordinances § 36-18.1 (Fire Code § 308.1.4)
308.1.4, Open-flame cooking devices, is retitled and amended to read as follows: 308.1.4 Open-flame devices. Charcoal burners, chimineas, barbecues fixed or portable, open flame heaters, firepots and other open-flame devices are prohibited on combustible balconies or within 10 feet (3048 mm) of combustible construction. Exceptions: 1.One- and two-family dwellings.2.When all of the following con...
Smoker Rules
Scottsdale requires outdoor wood-burning fireplaces, woodstoves, fire pits and similar smoker-style devices to sit at least 8 feet from a neighboring property line, or 10 feet in a zero lot line subdivision, under Section 2116 of the city's amended masonry chapter. Construction and alteration of these devices needs a building permit and inspection, with only the masonry surround exempt.
Scottsdale Outdoor Fire Pit and Smoker Rules
Some RestrictionsScottsdale Code of Ordinances § 31-26 (IBC §§ 2116.2, 2116.5)
2116.2 Outdoor wood-burning devices. Outdoor fireplaces, woodstoves, fire pits and other devices capable of burning wood shall be installed: 1.At least 8 feet from any property line that abuts another property; or 2.At least 10 feet from any property line in a zero lot line subdivision. Exceptions: 1.When a property line abuts a street or alley, the setback for these devices shall comply with t...
Outdoor Kitchen Permits
Scottsdale requires a permit for outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and gas or solid-fuel cooking devices under City Code § 31-26, and sets an 8-foot setback from neighboring property lines (10 feet on zero-lot-line lots), except the masonry surround itself, which needs no permit.
Scottsdale Outdoor Fireplace Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsScottsdale Code of Ordinances § 31-26
2116.2 Outdoor wood-burning devices. Outdoor fireplaces, woodstoves, fire pits and other devices capable of burning wood shall be installed:1.At least 8 feet from any property line that abuts another property; or2.At least 10 feet from any property line in a zero lot line subdivision. ... 2116.5 Code compliance.1.Construction, installation and alteration of all outdoor fireplaces; woodstoves; f...
Looking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Scottsdale city rules.
Outdoor Cooking in Maricopa County →