Cranston, RI Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Setback
- 10 feet from adjacent property line
- Enclosure
- Brick, masonry, metal, or non-combustible
- Supervision
- Adult must attend it while lit
- Penalty
- Up to $200 or 30 days
- Grandfathered structures
- Pre-2017 permanent structures may remain
Summary
Cranston limits barbecues, grills, and fireplaces to open-flame cooking fires kept at least 10 feet from the neighboring property line and fully enclosed in non-combustible material under Code § 8.08.200.
No person shall kindle or maintain any fire ... in the city of Cranston with the following exceptions: A. Cooking of food on barbecues, fireplaces or grills shall at least be ten (10) feet from the property line of each adjacent owner. ... All cooking and/or fire features must be contained in an enclosure that is constructed from brick, masonry, metal or other non-combustible material. ... An adult must be in attendance at all times the cooking equipment is in use.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4824304; v14 updated 2026-05-18).
Full Breakdown
Cranston's fire prevention code bars kindling or maintaining any open fire in the city, but carves out an exception for cooking fires. Barbecues, fireplaces, and grills must sit at least 10 feet from each adjacent owner's property line and be contained in an enclosure built from brick, masonry, metal, or other non-combustible material. Burning trash, leaves, stumps, or treated, painted, or varnished lumber is barred, and an adult must attend the equipment whenever it's lit. Permanent cooking structures already in place and working as of 2017 may stay. The only other exception covers fires the fire department sets for firefighter training.
Violations & Fines
No penalty is specified in § 8.08.200 itself, so the citywide general penalty applies: up to $200 or 30 days in jail per violation under § 1.08.010.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a fire pit for cooking in Cranston?
What if my grill sits closer than 10 feet to the property line?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cranston
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