Muncie, IN Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)

When the Muncie Fire Department chief declares an open burning ban under Section 91.30(C), Section 91.30(D) carves out exactly two lawful fire sources for the duration of that ban: fires in indoor heating units, and outdoor gas grills. Every other open flame, including bonfires otherwise permitted under Section 91.21 and any uncontained yard or trash fire covered by the Section 91.30(A) definition, becomes unlawful for as long as the ban stays in effect. The gas-grill exception applies only during a declared ban, so gas grills, charcoal grills, smokers and other outdoor cooking devices are not separately regulated by Section 91.30 outside of a ban period; the fire code addresses smoking and combustible-material hazards elsewhere in Chapter 91, not through a dedicated recreational-cooking ordinance.

The chief announces both the start and end of a ban through local radio, television and news services under subsection (C), so residents checking whether their smoker or charcoal grill is affected need to confirm whether an active ban has been proclaimed; if none is in effect, Section 91.30 places no restriction on outdoor cooking equipment at all. Because Section 91.30 carries no penalty of its own, using a non-exempt fire source during a declared ban is punished under the fire code's general penalty, Section 91.99(A), a fine of not less than $10.00 nor more than $1,000.00 for each offense, with each day of a prohibited condition counted separately.