Backyard smokers using charcoal, wood, or propane are allowed in Erie County as cooking fires under DEC and state fire-code rules. Placement near buildings and apartment balconies is restricted like other grills.
Meat smokers are treated as cooking appliances in Erie County. A backyard smoker is permitted under DEC 6 NYCRR Part 215 as a small cooking fire, provided it uses clean, untreated wood, charcoal, or propane and stays modest in size. There is no countywide smoker ordinance. As with grills, the New York State Fire Code restricts operating LP-gas and solid-fuel smokers on combustible balconies and near multi-family buildings, with exceptions for one- and two-family homes and sprinklered buildings. Smoke drifting onto neighbors can be addressed under local nuisance codes in the towns and City of Buffalo. Keep smokers a safe distance from structures and fences, attend them while in use, and never use treated or painted wood as fuel.
Nuisance smoke complaints and prohibited placement at multi-family buildings are enforced locally; typical remedies are abatement notices and fines set by the municipality.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Erie County, NY
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Erie County, NY
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Clarence, NY
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See how Clarence's smoker rules rules stack up against other locations.
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