Tallahassee, FL Outdoor Cooking: BBQ & Propane Rules (2026)

Tallahassee fire code enforcement is grounded in the Florida Fire Prevention Code, adopted under Fla. Stat. § 633.202 by the State Fire Marshal, with current edition the 8th (effective alongside the 2023 Florida Building Code). The Florida Fire Prevention Code adopts NFPA 1 Fire Code and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code by reference, both with Florida amendments. Enforcement is by the Tallahassee Fire Department (TFD) Fire Marshal's office under Fla. Stat. § 633.118 (local authority) coordinated with the Florida State Fire Marshal (Department of Financial Services) under Fla. Stat. Chapter 633. NFPA 1 Section 10.10 (Tallahassee's IFC-equivalent provision) prohibits open-flame cooking devices, charcoal burners, and other open-flame appliances on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction in any structure containing 3 or more dwelling units. Exceptions: one- and two-family dwellings; balconies served by an automatic sprinkler system (NFPA 13 or 13R); listed electric grills; and listed LP-gas grills with cylinders not exceeding 1 pound. Tallahassee apartment complexes serving FSU, FAMU, and TCC students — including those near Tennessee Street, Pensacola Street, and West Tharpe Street — fall under this rule. NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code) adopted via the Florida Fire Prevention Code governs LP-gas cylinder storage: cylinders larger than 1 pound must be stored outdoors, upright, in a ventilated area, at least 5 feet from building openings. Indoor cylinder storage in basements or garages is prohibited. At single-family homes, backyard grilling is unrestricted by city code. Public grilling in Tallahassee parks is permitted only in designated grilling areas.