Mobile, AL Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Balcony cooking
- Prohibited outright
- Clearance from structure
- 10 feet minimum
- Landlord duty
- Written tenant notice required
- Governing code
- Mobile Fire Code § 308.1.4
Summary
Mobile's Fire Code bans charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices on balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction, and requires multi-family landlords to notify tenants in writing.
Charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices shall not be operated on balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction. The management of multi-family residential occupancies which have balconies, decks, or patios shall notify their tenants in writing of the prohibitions of open flame cooking devices on balconies as outlined in 308.1.4 of the fire code when the tenant or occupant initially occupies the building and periodically thereafter as may be necessary to ensure compliance.
308.1.4 Open flame cooking devices. Exceptions: Amend as follows:
Exceptions 2: Delete in its entirety.
Exceptions 3: Delete in its entirety.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 67).
Full Breakdown
As amended in Mobile's adopted Fire Code, charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices, including smokers and grills, may not be operated on balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction. Property management for multi-family buildings with balconies, decks or patios must notify tenants in writing of this prohibition when they move in and periodically afterward to keep them in compliance. Mobile also deleted two of the model code's standard exceptions, tightening the local rule beyond the base International Fire Code.
Violations & Fines
Fire Code violations are enforced by the fire marshal's office; noncompliant open-flame cooking on a balcony can draw a citation, and continuing violations accrue as separate daily offenses under the code's general penalty provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a charcoal grill on my apartment balcony in Mobile?
Do Mobile landlords have to warn tenants about the balcony grill rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mobile
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