Conway, AR Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Where cooking fires allowed
- Designated picnic areas only
- Required containment
- Incinerator, stove, or charcoal broiler
- Open fire permit issuer
- Conway Fire Department, Parks Director approval
- Unattended fires
- Prohibited; must be fully extinguished
- Fine for violation
- $25 to $100 per occurrence
Summary
In the City of Conway, Arkansas, outdoor cooking fires in city parks are allowed only in designated picnic areas and only inside a contained device like an incinerator, stove, or charcoal broiler under Conway Municipal Code § 12.08.03(D). Open fires beyond that need a Conway Fire Department permit approved by the Parks Director, under § 12.08.03(E).
D.No fire whatsoever shall be set in any park except in areas designated as picnic areas and when the fire is contained within an incinerator, stove, charcoal broiler or other facility which will properly and safely contain said fire and when said fire is used only for outdoor cooking. If a person provides his own container it must be of a type which will not leave any burning substance or ashes in the park and all such containers shall be so placed so as to insure that no trees, shrubs or other property shall be exposed to flames. ... No such fire shall be left unattended and the person or persons causing such fire shall fully extinguish said fire prior to leaving the area thereof.E.Open Fires in city parks without a permit are prohibited.1.No permit shall be issued without a fire permit from the Conway Fire Department and approved by the Parks Director.
Full Breakdown
The City of Conway, Arkansas restricts fire in its parks to protect trees, shrubs, and park property while still allowing outdoor cooking. Conway Municipal Code § 12.08.03(D) confines any fire, including a grill or smoker, to areas the city has designated for picnicking, and requires the fire to be fully contained within an incinerator, stove, charcoal broiler, or similar facility built to safely hold it. A visitor who brings a personal cooking container must use one that will not leave burning coals or ashes behind, and it has to be positioned so no trees, shrubs, or other property is exposed to the flame.
The Parks and Recreation director may also designate specific areas solely for an open outdoor fire, described in the code as a 'wiener roast,' but any fire of that kind must never be left unattended, and the person who set it is responsible for fully extinguishing it before leaving. Beyond ordinary contained cooking fires, § 12.08.03(E) bars any open fire in a city park without a permit; that permit has to come from the Conway Fire Department and carry the Parks Director's approval before it is issued.
There is no separate 'smoker' carve-out: a smoker or barbecue counts as a fire under this section and must meet the same containment and placement rules as a charcoal grill. Violating the fire-containment or open-fire-permit rules is a park-ordinance offense punishable under § 12.08.08 by a fine of $25 to $100 per occurrence, enforced by Parks and Recreation staff, the Conway Police Department, and the Conway Fire Department for permit compliance.
Violations & Fines
Setting an uncontained fire, cooking outside a designated picnic area, or holding an open fire without a Conway Fire Department permit approved by the Parks Director violates Conway Municipal Code § 12.08.03(D)-(E) and is punishable under § 12.08.08 by a fine of $25 to $100 per occurrence, with continuing violations charged per day up to $100.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a smoker or grill in a Conway park?
Do I need a permit for an open fire in a Conway park?
What happens if I leave my park cooking fire unattended?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Conway
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