Roswell, GA Outdoor Cooking: BBQ & Propane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Grill/pit size limit
- Max 3 ft across, 2 ft high
- Clearance from structures
- At least 10 feet required
- 1-2 family homes
- Exempt from size and clearance limits
- Exceeding limits
- Requires a fire department permit
Summary
Roswell limits outdoor cooking fires to a pit, grill or barbeque no more than 3 feet across with 2 feet of fuel, kept 10 feet from any structure, unless it's a grill or smoker at a one- or two-family home.
Outdoor burning in connection with the preparation of food for immediate human consumption provided that it is in a pit, grill or barbeque, is not more than three (3) feet across in any direction and the materials to be burned are not more than two (2) feet high. Shall not be conducted within ten (10) feet of a structure or combustible material. A fire department permit is required to exceed these requirements. Exception: Grills and smokers used at one (1) and two (2) family homes.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 17 | Unified Development Code: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
Roswell's open-burning ordinance, § 8.3.15(a)(1), treats a grill or barbeque as an exception to the citywide open-burning ban only if it's used to prepare food, is no more than 3 feet across in any direction, holds no more than 2 feet of burning material, and sits at least 10 feet from a structure or combustible material. A fire department permit is required to exceed those dimensions or clearance. The ordinance explicitly exempts grills and smokers used at one- and two-family homes from these size and distance limits, so the numeric standard chiefly reaches multifamily and commercial properties.
Violations & Fines
Violations of § 8.3.15 are punishable by a fine of $25.00 to $500.00 per offense under § 8.3.15(g), with each day of continuing violation a separate offense; violators are also liable for fire department response costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to grill in my backyard in Roswell, Georgia?
How close to my building can a barbecue be at an apartment or condo property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Roswell
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