Wauwatosa, WI Outdoor Cooking: BBQ & Propane Rules (2026)

100, titled "Barbecue Grills, Kettles, Outdoor Hibachis" and adopted by Ord. 28's permits, certificates, approvals, inspections and appeals framework under the city's fire prevention code. The rule applies to any type of barbecue grill, not just charcoal units, so gas and propane grills, kettles and outdoor hibachis are all covered by the same clearance and location standard. Igniting or burning a grill inside a building is flatly unlawful regardless of ventilation. Outside, a grill cannot be operated within twenty-four inches of combustible material or on a combustible floor, which reaches wood decking, siding and similar surfaces.

The balcony rule is separate and narrower: a grill cannot be used on a balcony within five feet of any opening, meaning a window or door, into a dwelling or apartment, which is the provision that most directly governs multifamily balcony grilling. 050 requires constant supervision of any grill that contains burning materials. 100 itself does not set a propane cylinder storage quantity limit; it governs ignition location and combustible clearance only.