Evanston, IL Outdoor Cooking: BBQ & Propane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Banned on
- egress stairs and porches
- Allowed on
- balconies and ground level
- Extinguisher required
- 10-lb ABC type, nearby
- Enforced by
- Evanston Fire Official
Summary
Evanston bars barbecue grills from stairs and porches that serve as building exits, but allows them on balconies or at ground level if a fire extinguisher stays close by.
Barbecue grills shall not be used on any stairs or porches that serve as a means of egress. The use of barbecues will be allowed on balconies or at ground level provided the following regulations are complied with:
1)The use of a cooking grill which creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation shall be prohibited.2)Read the owner's manual for safety guidelines.3)The use of the barbecue shall not cause the building's fire alarm system to activate.4)A portable fire extinguisher shall be located in close proximity to the barbecue, but not affixed to the grill. The fire extinguisher shall be at least a 10 pound ABC type extinguisher.5)Extreme caution shall be exercised when lighting the barbecue to prevent flames from elevating to an excessive height.6)Hot ashes or cinders shall be deposited into noncombustible receptacles free of all combustible material and away from combustible construction.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 21).
Full Breakdown
The Fire Code amendment bans barbecue use on any stairway or porch that functions as a means of egress, but permits grills on balconies or at ground level under listed conditions: the grill can't create a hazardous situation or trip the building's fire alarm, a portable 10-pound ABC fire extinguisher must be kept nearby but not attached to the grill, users must follow the owner's manual and exercise caution when lighting it, and hot ashes or cinders must go into a noncombustible receptacle clear of anything combustible.
Violations & Fines
Grill violations carry the Fire Code's general penalty schedule: $150 for a first offense, $400 for a second, and $750 for a third or later, with each day of noncompliance a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
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