Spartanburg County, SC Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Forestry notification
- Not required
- Permit
- None
- Barbecue pit
- Exempt from 50-ft rule
- Placement
- Noncombustible, away from structures
- Attendance
- While in use
Summary
Using a smoker or barbecue pit to cook food is allowed with no Forestry Commission notification, because cooking fires are exempt. Keep the smoker a safe distance from structures and attend it while in use.
fires used for the preparation of food for immediate consumption, or fires burned in portable outdoor fireplaces, chimineas, or permanent fire pits
Full Breakdown
Backyard smokers and barbecue pits fall under the SC Forestry Commission's food-preparation exemption, so no burn notification is needed. Spartanburg County Code Section 10-81 even allows a fire contained in a barbecue pit to sit closer than the 50-foot bonfire distance. Standard practice under the adopted fire code is to place the smoker on a noncombustible surface away from siding, eaves and fences, keep it attended, and have water or an extinguisher nearby. There is no permit or county-specific smoker ordinance for residential use.
Violations & Fines
Residential smoker use is essentially unregulated; only an unattended or unsafe fire that escapes would draw fire-code enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a backyard smoker?
How close to my house can a smoker be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spartanburg County
Compare Spartanburg County to another location·View the South Carolina outdoor cooking overview
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