Charcoal, wood, and pellet smokers are treated as open-flame cooking devices under the 2021 IFC adopted by South Carolina. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits their use or storage on or within 10 feet of combustible balconies, decks, or exterior walls of multifamily buildings with more than two dwelling units, unless the building is fully sprinklered. Single-family Columbia residences may use smokers in yards and patios subject to general fire-safety clearance requirements. Columbia has no separate municipal smoker ordinance.
Smokers that use charcoal, wood chunks, wood pellets, or live fire fall within the IFC definition of an open-flame cooking device. Under IFC Section 308.1.4 of the 2021 IFC adopted by the SC Building Codes Council, such devices may not be used or stored on or within 10 feet of combustible balconies, decks, or exterior walls of apartment buildings, condominiums, attached townhomes, or any structure with more than two dwelling units. The exception allows operation where the structure is fully sprinklered. Single-family and duplex residences are exempt and may operate smokers in yards, patios, and driveways. General fire-code provisions require open-flame devices to be located at a safe distance from combustibles and never left unattended. The Columbia Code of Ordinances does not include a separate smoker ordinance; the Columbia Fire Department Fire Marshal's Office enforces under Chapter 9 of the city code and the state-adopted IFC. Persistent smoke nuisances impacting neighbors may be reviewed under Columbia Chapter 14 (nuisances) or Chapter 22 (streets and offenses) provisions.
Operating a smoker in violation of IFC 308.1.4 is enforced by the Columbia Fire Marshal, with orders to remove the device and possible civil or criminal penalties under SC fire-code provisions. Persistent smoke nuisances may be referred to Columbia Code Enforcement under Chapter 14. Confirm current enforcement with the Columbia Fire Marshal's Office.
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