A wood, charcoal, or pellet smoker used to cook food is treated like a barbecue grill: allowed without a permit if used solely for food preparation with a grate over the fire and only approved fuel. Attended gas/charcoal cookers stay allowed even during a burn ban.
Manatee County's open-burning rules classify cooking fires as permitted: a barbecue grill fire (which covers backyard smokers) is allowed 'if used solely for the preparation of food, provided that a grate is maintained over the fire, excessive visible emissions are not generated, and only approved materials … are burned.' Smokers must not create excessive smoke or become a nuisance to neighbors. During a countywide burn ban, 'outdoor cookers or grills' remain allowed if attended at all times by a responsible adult, so a charcoal or wood smoker may be used if supervised, while pure open burning is prohibited.
Excessive smoke causing a neighborhood nuisance can draw code-enforcement complaints; leaving a lit smoker unattended during a burn ban can bring fire-district penalties.
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