Minneapolis, MN Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)

There is no provision in the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances 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 Minn. Rules Ch. 7511 — extends to smokers because pellet grills, offset pits, and wood-fired ovens are '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 Minneapolis Code Chapter 227 (Nuisances) and Title 17 noise/nuisance provisions, with enforcement by the Department of Regulatory Services. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) regulates outdoor air quality and issues Air Quality Alerts for the Twin Cities — these are advisory and do not impose binding restrictions on residential smokers, though MPCA recommends voluntary curtailment of recreational wood burning on alert days. Some Twin Cities suburbs (notably Bloomington and St. Paul) have adopted stricter wood-smoke regulations; Minneapolis has not. Recreational fires in fire pits are separately regulated under Minneapolis Code Title 8 Ch. 175.