Boston treats smokers and solid-fuel grills (wood, pellet, charcoal) the same as charcoal grills under Massachusetts Fire Code 527 CMR 1.00. Use on balconies, porches, or within 10 feet of combustible construction on multi-family buildings is prohibited. Smokers must be operated at ground level on noncombustible surfaces with adequate clearance.
Under 527 CMR 1.00 Section 10.10, solid-fuel cooking equipment including smokers, kamado grills, pellet smokers, and charcoal grills is prohibited on balconies, porches, and within 10 feet of combustible construction on any multi-family residential building in Boston. Smokers must operate at ground level on noncombustible surfaces such as concrete patios or stone pavers, with clear distance from fences, structures, and overhangs. The Boston Fire Department recommends having an extinguisher or water source nearby. Smokers used for commercial food service require an additional Boston Inspectional Services permit and Fire Department review. Brookline, Cambridge, and other surrounding municipalities apply the same state code. Smoking ban ordinances (City Code 16-12) regulate tobacco, not food smokers. Burn permits are not required for residential cooking.
Operating a smoker on a multi-family balcony or within 10 feet of combustible construction violates the state fire code, triggering Boston Fire Department citations and required removal. Property owners may face additional code enforcement. Tenant leases may prohibit smokers; violations can lead to eviction. Fire damage from improperly placed smokers may void insurance.
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