Lincoln, NE Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)

There is no provision in the Lincoln Municipal Code specifically addressing residential smokers, pellet grills, offset pits, or wood-fired ovens at single-family or two-family homes. Standard backyard smoking is treated as ordinary residential cooking and is not regulated. At multi-unit buildings (3+ dwelling units), IFC §308.1.4 — adopted via Title 16 — extends to smokers because pellet grills, offset pits, and wood-fired ovens are all 'open-flame' or solid-fuel cooking devices and are prohibited on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction. Smoke that substantially and unreasonably crosses property lines may be addressed under Lincoln Municipal Code Title 8 (Health and Sanitation) and general nuisance provisions, with enforcement by the Code Enforcement Division. The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) regulates outdoor air quality but only for industrial and commercial sources, not residential cookers. Air-quality alerts in the Lincoln area (typically summer ozone) are advisory only — they do not impose binding restrictions on residential smokers.