Rowlett, TX Outdoor Cooking: BBQ & Propane Rules (2026)

Rowlett's fire code, summarized on the City's 'Open Fires and Cooking' page, draws a sharp line between single-family and multifamily grilling. At one- and two-family dwellings, outdoor cooking is permitted under Section 308.1.4, with LP-gas containers limited to a water capacity not greater than 50 pounds each (about a standard 20-pound propane tank) and an aggregate LP-gas capacity not to exceed 100 pounds. So a homeowner can keep a gas grill plus spare cylinders within that cap. For multifamily housing - buildings of three or more units or two or more stories - Section 308.1.4 prohibits operating or storing a 'charcoal burner, open flame, LP gas burner, outdoor grill, [or] barbecue' on balconies and patios. The only exception is a permanently mounted device located 10 or more feet from the structure (such as a fixed community grill in a common area). This means apartment and condo residents in Rowlett generally cannot keep a charcoal or propane grill on their balcony or patio. Section 308.1.5 separately bans open-flame devices like candles, lanterns, and gas/kerosene heaters on multifamily balconies. Propane cylinders should be stored outdoors away from building openings. Grilling questions should be directed to Rowlett Fire Rescue's fire marshal.