Brockton, MA Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)

Brockton's open-fire ordinance treats outdoor smokers and charcoal cookers differently depending on fuel. Section 7-313(i) governs charcoal: charcoal grills or fires shall not be used inside a building, on decks, or porches and should be located at least 30 feet from any combustible structure. That is a flat placement rule with no permit attached. Section 7-319 then creates the Class V permit category for barbecues exercised at a prescribed location, for barbecue purposes only using a fuel other than charcoal, propane or natural gas, meaning a wood-pellet or wood-chip smoker, or any other alternative-fuel cooker, falls into Class V and needs a fire department permit, while charcoal, propane or natural gas barbeque fires shall not require a permit.

Section 7-319 also requires spark arresters over chimney openings on Class V devices. Where a Class V permit is required, Section 7-320's conditions for Class I and Class V permits apply: the fire must sit at least 30 feet from any building, structure, roof, canopy, overhang or piled combustible rubbish, wood, trees, bushes, or grass, and the permit holder must keep a garden hose reaching the fire or filled watering pots ready at all times while it burns. Every open fire, charcoal-fueled or otherwise, is also barred from becoming a smoke nuisance under Section 7-313(d), and any device must be extinguished immediately on request from a fire department member or police officer.