Outdoor Cooking in York County, PA (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated York County, Pennsylvania.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of York County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

BBQ & Propane Rules

York County confines outdoor cooking fires in its park system to specific spots: charcoal grills only at existing designated grill sites, and gas grills or gas stoves only in pavilion areas or at individually provided picnic tables, under Code § 75-9. Any permitted fire needs an attendant 18 or older and must be fully extinguished before you leave.

Grill Placement Rules in York County Parks, PA

Some Restrictions

York County Code § 75-9.A(2), A(4)-(5), B

No person shall: ... (2) Build any fire within the park system, except within the fireplaces approved and designated by the Director, for such purpose. All fires shall be of charcoal or wood. ... (4) Use charcoal grills except at existing grill sites within the park system. (5) Use gas grills or gas stoves except in pavilion areas and at individually provided picnic tables within the park syste...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Smoker Rules

York County sets no rule on backyard smokers. A smoker used solely to cook food falls under the state open-burning cooking exemption and the county burn ban's grill exemption. Nuisance smoke and placement are municipal matters.

Backyard Smokers & Outdoor Cooking in York County, PA

Some Restrictions

25 Pa. Code Sec. 129.14

The following types of burning are exempt... fires set solely for cooking food.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All York County ordinances

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