Gwinnett County, GA Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 42-46(c)(3)
- Balcony/structure setback
- 10 feet (grills)
- 1-2 family home exception
- Setback does not apply
- Open cooking fire setback
- 50 feet from structures
- Scope
- Unincorporated county
Summary
Charcoal, wood, and gas grills in unincorporated Gwinnett must stay off combustible balconies and 10 feet from combustible construction, except at one- and two-family homes.
Fires for the purpose of cooking food for human consumption. a. Charcoal, wood, and gas grills and other open flame cooking devices shall not be operated on combustible balconies or within ten feet of combustible construction. Exception: One- and two-family dwellings. b. LP gas grills and burners having an LP gas container with a water capacity greater than 2.5 pounds (one pound LP gas capacity) shall not be located on combustible balconies or within ten feet of combustible construction.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 9).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 42-46(c)(3) covers fires for cooking food for human consumption. Charcoal, wood, and gas grills and other open-flame cooking devices may not sit on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction, and LP-gas grills with a container over 2.5 pounds water capacity face the same limit; one- and two-family dwellings are exempted from both. Open cooking fires not using a grill must stay 50 feet from any structure (25 feet for small piles) and be kept a controllable size.
Violations & Fines
The fire marshal's office may summarily abate a noncompliant fire under Sec. 42-46(e); article violations carry a minimum $250 fine for a first offense, up to $1,000 per day, and/or up to 60 days in jail under Sec. 42-22.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grill on my apartment balcony in unincorporated Gwinnett?
How far must a backyard cooking fire (not a grill) be from my house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gwinnett County
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