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Auburn, WA Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Permit needed
None, for domestic cooking devices
Covers
Barbecues, smokers, similar cooking devices
Still required
Constant attendance until extinguished
Fire chief override
Can prohibit during hazardous conditions
Penalty for violation
Civil infraction, escalates to misdemeanor

Summary

Auburn's tight outdoor-burning law makes one clean carve-out for cooking: ACC 8.32.030 exempts domestic barbecues, smokers and similar outdoor cooking devices from the fire chief's burning permit requirement entirely.

No burning permit will be required under the terms of this chapter for domestic cooking of meals in outdoor barbecues and similar domestic outdoor cooking devices.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 7023, passed July 6, 2026).

Full Breakdown

020, covering everything from ceremonial fires to vegetation disposal. ' That phrase, domestic outdoor cooking devices, reads broadly enough to cover charcoal grills, gas grills and smokers used for household meal preparation, not just charcoal barbecues in the narrowest sense. 32. 030 removes a smoker or grill fire from that attendance duty while lit. 050 to prohibit any and all outdoor fires, including exempt cooking fires, whenever atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such a fire hazardous, such as during a burn ban triggered by dry, windy weather. 050.

Violations & Fines

Using a smoker or barbecue for ordinary domestic cooking needs no permit, but letting the fire go unattended violates ACC 8.32.040, and continuing to burn after the fire chief declares hazardous conditions under ACC 8.32.050 violates that section. Either is a civil infraction under ACC 8.32.070, with escalation to a misdemeanor under ACC 1.25.050 for repeat or aggravated conduct.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to use a smoker in my backyard in Auburn?
No. ACC 8.32.030 exempts domestic cooking in outdoor barbecues and similar domestic outdoor cooking devices from the burning permit requirement that otherwise applies to open fires under Chapter 8.32 of the Auburn City Code.
Can Auburn stop me from using my grill or smoker during a burn ban?
Yes. ACC 8.32.050 lets the fire chief prohibit any and all outdoor fires, including exempt cooking fires, whenever atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous, regardless of the ACC 8.32.030 cooking exemption.
Do I still have to watch my smoker while it is lit?
Yes. ACC 8.32.040 requires all outdoor fires to be constantly attended by a competent person of suitable age and kept under control until fully extinguished; the cooking-device exemption in ACC 8.32.030 only removes the permit requirement, not this duty.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Auburn

Noise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSignificant Restrictions

All Auburn rules

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