Temple, TX Outdoor Cooking: BBQ & Propane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Multi-family balconies/decks
- Grills prohibited outright
- Single-family elevation rule
- 3 feet off structure
- Clearance from structures
- 20 feet minimum
- Governing section
- Sec. 12-13(b)(1)(C)
- Penalty
- Class C misdemeanor, up to $500
Summary
Temple's fire code bans outdoor burn containers, including grills, on porches, decks, or balconies attached to multi-family buildings, and requires containers on single-family decks to sit elevated three feet up.
...must be contained in an outdoor burn container, such as a non-combustible chimenea, outdoor fireplace, grill, fire pit, or other similar non-combustible container; a. Outdoor burn containers placed on a combustible structure, including a porch, deck, or balcony, must be elevated at least three (3) feet off the structure while in use... iii. Are prohibited on any porch, deck, balcony, or any other structure connected to a multi-family dwelling;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Reformat).
Full Breakdown
Temple's fire code treats grills as outdoor burn containers under Sec. 12-13. On single-family porches, decks, or balconies, a grill must sit elevated at least three feet off the structure while lit, stay at least 20 feet from any building or fence, and be attended by someone 13 or older. On any porch, deck, balcony, or attached structure of a multi-family dwelling, grills and other outdoor burn containers are prohibited outright: no elevation workaround applies. The Fire Marshal enforces the rule; violations are Class C misdemeanors.
Violations & Fines
Placing or using a grill on a multi-family balcony, deck, or porch, or failing to elevate one 3 feet on a single-family structure, is a Class C misdemeanor: up to a $500 fine, more with a culpable mental state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a propane grill on my apartment balcony in Temple?
How far must a backyard grill be from my house in Temple?
Does the elevation rule apply on a single-family deck?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Temple
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Temple to another location·View the Texas outdoor cooking overview
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