Royal Oak Township, MI Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)

The Charter Township of Royal Oak Code never uses the words smoker or grill. Outdoor cooking fires are handled by the open burning article in Chapter 10 and the park rules in Chapter 17.

Private property. Section 10-44 defines open burning as a fire from which the products of combustion are emitted directly into the air without passing through a stack or chimney filter. Section 10-45 then prohibits causing or permitting any open burning of fuel, garbage or other combustible refuse or waste material, including leaves, brush, tree trimmings and grass. The ordinance adds that the prohibition shall not be construed to prohibit fires of charcoal or of a non-ash-producing fuel when used on private property for the exclusive preparation of food for human consumption. The carve-out is tied to both the fuel and the purpose: charcoal or a non-ash-producing fuel, and food preparation only. Using the same fire to dispose of leaves, brush, tree trimmings, grass or garbage falls back under the ban.

Special fires. Section 10-45 also allows special or occasional open fires by resolution, once the township board determines that the fire is not likely to create a hazard or nuisance condition to adjacent property or persons and that its purpose is legitimate. Permission granted by the township board is subject to conditions that may be attached to it.

Township parks. Section 17-41(a) says no person shall start or maintain any outdoor fire in a park except in designated picnic areas, and fires are limited to cooking fires started and maintained only in a stove, fireplace or barbecue pit maintained by the department or in a portable camp stove. Under § 17-38, the director designates the picnic areas. Under § 17-41(b), anyone who starts a fire in a park cannot leave the area without completely extinguishing it or placing hot coals in the receptacle the department provides for that sole purpose. The only personal equipment the park rule names is a portable camp stove.