Grilling with charcoal or propane is allowed in Knox County; cooking fires are exempt from the open-burning permit. On multi-family balconies, however, the adopted 2018 Fire Code restricts open-flame and LP-gas grills near combustible construction.
Knox County Air Quality lists 'cooking fires' among burns allowed without a permit, so backyard barbecues, charcoal grills, and propane grills at single-family homes are fine. The main restriction comes from the adopted 2018 International Fire Code (Section 308), which limits operating open-flame or charcoal grills and storing LP-gas cylinders on or near combustible balconies and within 10 feet of combustible construction at apartments and other multi-family buildings, unless the building is fully sprinklered or the appliance is a listed electric device. Standard 20-pound propane cylinders are allowed without a permit. Keep grills a safe distance from siding, eaves, and railings, and never grill indoors or in an enclosed porch.
Grilling in prohibited multi-family locations is a fire-code violation the fire marshal can order corrected; property owners may also enforce lease or HOA rules.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Knox County's bbq & propane rules rules stack up against other locations.
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