Chelan County, WA Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- § 7.52.040(1)(A)(v), (1)(B)(iii)
- Camp stoves/chimineas
- allowed on noncombustible material
- Charcoal briquettes
- banned from around July 1
- Enforcing agency
- Sheriff or Fire Marshal
- Penalty
- misdemeanor, up to $1,000/90 days
Summary
Portable fireplaces, chimineas, and gas camp stoves stay legal in unincorporated Chelan County's early fire-restriction window if set on noncombustible material under Section 7.52.040(1)(A)(v), but once the second stage of restrictions begins around July 1 the same section flatly bans charcoal briquettes for the rest of burn season.
(1) Activity restrictions, pursuant to the designation provisions of Section 7.52.020, shall be enforced by the Chelan County sheriff or the Chelan County fire marshal, as conditions warrant, throughout those unincorporated areas of Chelan County designated as a fire hazard area. ... (v) Portable fireplaces/pits/chimineas, gas camp stoves and lanterns are approved providing they are placed on noncombustible material. ... (iii) Use of charcoal briquettes is prohibited.
Full Breakdown
040(1). In the first stage, starting June 1 in the Valley Zone (or by July 1 in the Chelan Mountain Zone if fire danger increases sooner), the chapter approves "portable fireplaces/pits/chimineas, gas camp stoves and lanterns" provided they are placed on noncombustible material, even though the same stage bans open outdoor fires generally. That means charcoal or gas grills, smokers, and chimineas can keep operating through the first stage if sited correctly. Once the second stage of restrictions begins around July 1 in both the Valley and Chelan Mountain Zones, the picture changes: the code specifically prohibits the use of charcoal briquettes, on top of reiterating the general ban on building, igniting, or maintaining any outdoor fire and prohibiting all recreational campfires. 020. 070.
Violations & Fines
Using charcoal briquettes to fuel a grill or smoker once second-stage restrictions take effect, or operating a portable fireplace, pit, chiminea, or camp stove on combustible ground during either stage, violates Section 7.52.040 and is a misdemeanor under Section 7.52.080, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and/or 90 days in jail, plus liability for firefighting costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a gas grill or camp stove during Chelan County's early fire restrictions?
Are charcoal briquettes ever banned outright?
What happens if I run my smoker on charcoal after the ban starts?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chelan County
Compare Chelan County to another location·View the Washington outdoor cooking overview
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