Clinton Township, MI Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Covered under
- 'Barbeque' definition, Section 1621.01(a)
- Setback, own lot
- 20 ft from any structure
- Setback, neighboring lot
- 50 ft from any structure
- Multi-family buildings
- Barred within 10 ft or on balconies
- On-site requirement
- Fire extinguisher or hose must be present
- Minimum fine
- $100 civil infraction (Section 1621.99)
Summary
A charcoal or wood-fired smoker qualifies as a 'barbeque' under Clinton Township's fire code, so the same setback rules apply: it must stay at least twenty feet from any structure on your own property and fifty feet from a structure on a neighbor's lot, with a fire extinguisher or hose kept nearby.
“Barbeque” means a gas, propane, charcoal or wood burning device which is U.L. listed and contains a receptacle within which combustion occurs, as a functional cover that maybe used and is designed for purpose of food preparation. ... Fire pits, barbeques, and fireplaces as defined herein shall be permitted, but may not be located less than twenty feet from any occupied or unoccupied structure situated upon the property where the fire is occurring and shall not be less than fifty feet from any structure situated upon any adjoining property to the property from which the fire is occurring.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-25: Local legislation current through May 26, 2026).
Full Breakdown
listed, has an enclosed combustion receptacle, and is designed for food preparation, a definition broad enough to cover a wood or charcoal smoker used for outdoor cooking. 02(c) applies to that same group of devices: a barbeque-type cooker may not be located less than twenty feet from any occupied or unoccupied structure on the property where it is being used, and not less than fifty feet from any structure on an adjoining property. A fire extinguisher or garden hose must be present at the cooking site.
02(a)(1) bars it outright regardless of the general setback. The Fire Marshal can also order a smoker extinguished under subsection (b) if smoke or odor from the cooking becomes objectionable to neighbors or conditions are hazardous. These rules trace to Ordinance 429, passed March 13, 2017.
Violations & Fines
Running an outdoor smoker closer than the twenty- or fifty-foot setbacks, or on a multi-family balcony, is a civil infraction under Section 1621.99 with a fine of at least $100. A Fire Marshal order to extinguish a smoky or hazardous smoker fire can be enforced on top of that fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Clinton Township regulate backyard smokers separately from grills?
How close can my smoker be to my neighbor's house?
Do I need a fire extinguisher next to my smoker?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clinton Township
Compare Clinton Township to another location·View the Michigan outdoor cooking overview
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Smoker Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Macomb County handle smoker rules.