Chattanooga, TN Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)

Solid-fuel cooking equipment including wood smokers, pellet grills, kamado-style grills, and charcoal smokers fall under IFC Section 308.1.4 in Chattanooga. On multi-family buildings without automatic sprinklers, smokers cannot be used on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction. Sprinklered buildings may permit smokers subject to building rules. Single-family detached homes face no City Code restrictions on residential smoker use, though smokers should be placed on noncombustible surfaces (concrete, brick, stone patios), kept away from wood fences and decks, and operated with adequate ventilation. The Chattanooga Fire Marshal responds to smoke complaints and ash fire incidents. Excessive smoke or odor crossing property lines may trigger nuisance enforcement under City Code Chapter 11 (Health) or zoning nuisance provisions. Tennessee Division of Forestry burn permits are not required for residential cooking. Chattanooga's barbecue tradition means smoker use is widespread and generally accepted in residential neighborhoods.