Johns Creek, GA Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)

Smoking meats with a wood-pellet, charcoal, or offset smoker is treated as cooking food for immediate human consumption, which Johns Creek Code Chapter 21 exempts from the open-burning permit requirement. There is no separate city ordinance prohibiting residential smokers, so single-family homeowners may use them freely on their own property. The smoke they generate is governed only by general nuisance principles: persistent, dense smoke that drifts onto neighbors could draw a nuisance complaint, and the Fire Marshal can prohibit any burning deemed offensive to others or a health risk. For townhomes, condos, and apartments, the adopted Georgia/International Fire Code applies the same restriction as for grills — except at one- and two-family dwellings, charcoal and other open-flame or solid-fuel cooking devices may not be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction. Best practice for residential pitmasters: position the smoker well away from the house, fence, deck and overhangs; use seasoned hardwood to minimize smoke; keep it attended with an extinguisher nearby; and dispose of ashes only when fully cold. HOA covenants may impose additional limits.