Backyard smokers are open-flame cooking devices under the Minnesota State Fire Code. At single-family homes they are allowed with safe clearances. On combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction in multi-family buildings, they are prohibited, matching the grilling rules.
Minnesota's adopted fire code treats charcoal, wood and pellet smokers the same as grills: charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices shall not be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction. Exceptions cover one- and two-family dwellings, sprinklered buildings, and LP-gas devices with a container water capacity not greater than 2.5 pounds. So a smoker in a single-family backyard is fine with normal clearance from the house and fence, but apartment and townhome residents in three-or-more-unit buildings that adopt Appendix O may not operate a smoker on a balcony or patio within 15 feet of the structure. Watch smoke drift, which can trigger nuisance complaints under city codes.
Operating a smoker contrary to the fire code in multi-family housing can be ordered stopped and cited by the fire marshal; excessive smoke may draw nuisance enforcement under city ordinances.
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