Outdoor Cooking in Tempe, AZ (2026)
3 verified outdoor cooking rules for Tempe, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
BBQ & Propane Rules
Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department enforces the International Fire Code through Tempe City Code Chapter 13. IFC 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame and charcoal cooking devices on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of multi-family buildings, and prohibits LP-gas containers larger than 2.5 lb water capacity on combustible balconies. Single-family detached homes are not restricted. Maricopa County Air Quality Rule 314 declares PM-10 No Burn Days that prohibit charcoal grills; gas and propane are exempt.
Tempe BBQ and Propane Grill Rules
Some RestrictionsSmoker Rules
Tempe has no specific city ordinance regulating residential backyard smokers or pellet grills. Maricopa County Air Quality Rule 314 declares PM-10 No Burn Days (typically December through February) that prohibit solid-fuel devices including wood-fired smokers and pellet grills; gas and propane are exempt. Tempe nuisance provisions could theoretically address persistent severe smoke but rarely apply to residential cooking. HOA rules are lighter than in surrounding cities but exist in The Lakes and Warner Ranch.
Tempe Backyard Smoker Rules
Some RestrictionsOutdoor Kitchen Permits
Tempe requires building permits for outdoor kitchens that include gas lines, plumbing, electrical wiring, or structural roofs under Tempe City Code Chapter 8 (Building and Building Regulations) and the adopted International Residential Code. Trade permits file through Tempe Community Development. Standalone portable grills require no permit. Outdoor kitchens near swimming pools must comply with Tempe pool barrier requirements.
Tempe Outdoor Kitchen Permits
Some RestrictionsLooking for Maricopa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tempe city rules.
Outdoor Cooking in Maricopa County →