Fort Bend County, TX Outdoor Cooking: BBQ & Propane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Setback from structure
- 10 feet minimum
- Balcony/deck rule
- No open-flame grills if combustible
- 1-2 family LP-gas cap
- 50 lb. tank / 100 lb. total
- Sprinklered multifamily cap
- 50 lb. tank / 40 lb. total
- Small-device exception
- Containers ≤2.5 lb. capacity exempt
Summary
Fort Bend County's Fire Code bans charcoal and open-flame grills on combustible balconies and decks, or within 10 feet of combustible construction, with narrow LP-gas exceptions.
308.1.4 Open-flame Cooking Devices. Charcoal burners and other Open-flame cooking devices, charcoal grills and other similar devices used for cooking shall not be operated located or used on combustible balconies, decks, or within 10 feet (3048 mm) of combustible construction.
Full Breakdown
Under the county's amended Fire Code Section 308.1.4, charcoal burners, charcoal grills, and other open-flame cooking devices cannot be operated on combustible balconies or decks, or within 10 feet of combustible construction anywhere in unincorporated Fort Bend County. One- and two-family homes get an exception if LP-gas containers are capped at 50 lbs. water capacity (20 lb. nominal) per tank and 100 lbs. aggregate, stored outside. Sprinklered multifamily buildings get a tighter exception: LP-gas containers capped at 50 lbs. water capacity each, 40 lbs. aggregate (two containers), stored outside. Small LP-gas cooking devices using containers of 2.5 lbs. water capacity or less (roughly 1 lb. nominal, the size used in portable tabletop grills) are exempt outright. The Fire Marshal's Office enforces these limits.
Violations & Fines
Fire Marshal citation for operating a charcoal or open-flame grill on a combustible balcony/deck or too close to a structure; larger LP-gas tanks than the exception allows can trigger separate storage violations under Chapter 61.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a propane grill on my apartment balcony in unincorporated Fort Bend County?
Is a charcoal grill allowed on a wood deck at a single-family home?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Bend County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Fort Bend County to another location·View the Texas outdoor cooking overview
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