Iron County, UT Outdoor Cooking: BBQ & Propane Rules (2026)

Iron County regulates fire and burning in unincorporated areas under Chapter 8.04, splitting the year into a closed fire season, June 1 through October 31 and November 16 through the last day of February under Section 8.04.100, and an open fire season, March 1 through May 31 and November 1 through November 15 under Section 8.04.101. During the open season a written county burning permit is required, valid only when the National Weather Service clearing index for Salt Lake City reads 500 or above and no red flag warning is in effect, and the state fire warden, chief fire officer, or the official of the local fire protection entity can postpone, revoke, or deny a permit for environmental conditions or public safety.

Section 8.04.102 then lists exceptions that fall outside the whole chapter, so no permit or seasonal restriction applies to them at all. Subsection B is the grill exception: devices for the primary purpose of preparing food such as outdoor grills and fireplaces are excluded entirely, so a propane tank, charcoal kettle, or built-in outdoor kitchen used to cook food is not subject to the closed season ban or the open season permit process. That is a narrower carve-out than subsection C's campfire exception, which imposes pit depth, clearance, and suppression-equipment conditions before a recreational fire qualifies.

Indoor fireplaces and indoor solid-fuel devices get a separate exemption under subsection D. Because the grill exception removes cooking devices from the chapter, no notification to the local fire department is required for grilling.