Outdoor Cooking in Cleveland County, NC (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Cleveland County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
BBQ & Propane Rules
On the Broad River Greenway, Cleveland County's park land along the river, grilling is confined to designated spots with permanently placed equipment under Code § 7-36(f). Portable or personal grills are barred everywhere else on Greenway property unless the Broad River Greenway Council has authorized a specific designated area for them.
Cleveland County Restricts Grilling on Broad River Greenway
Some RestrictionsCleveland County Code § 7-36(f)
(f)It shall be unlawful for any person to grill anywhere on the Greenway property except in designated areas and in permanently placed grill equipment. It shall be unlawful to use portable and/or personal grills anywhere on Greenway property, except in designated areas as authorized by Broad River Greenway Council.(g)A violation of this section is punishable as a misdemeanor.
Smoker Rules
Open flames in unincorporated Cleveland County, including bonfires and barbecue pits, must stay at least 50 feet from any structure under § 11-45, though a barbecue pit lets a bonfire come within 25 feet. Every open burn needs a permit from the code official, must be constantly attended, and violators face a $100 fine.
Cleveland County Bonfire and Barbecue Pit Rules
Some RestrictionsCleveland County Code § 11-45
(5)Location. The location for open burning shall not be less than fifty (50) feet from any structure and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading to within fifty (50) feet of any structure. Exceptions:a.Fires in approved containers that are not less than fifteen (15) feet from a structure.b.The minimum required distance from a structure shall be twenty-five (25) feet where th...
All Cleveland County ordinances
See every category we cover for Cleveland County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Cleveland County Ordinance Hub →