Backyard smokers are central to Memphis barbecue culture and are allowed at single-family homes. Under the adopted 2021 International Fire Code (county code Chapter 22), enforced by the Shelby County Fire Department, they count as open-flame cooking devices and are restricted on multifamily balconies near combustible construction.
Charcoal, wood, or pellet smokers used for backyard cooking are regulated in unincorporated Shelby County as open-flame cooking devices under the 2021 International Fire Code, adopted at Chapter 22, Article II and enforced by the Shelby County Fire Department. Fire Code Section 308 provides that charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices must not be operated on combustible balconies, or within 10 feet of combustible construction, at multifamily (Group R) buildings, with exceptions for one- and two-family dwellings. At single-family homes a smoker is allowed; keep it on a noncombustible surface, attended, with ashes cooled before disposal. No Shelby County ordinance regulates smoke from a residential smoker. Smokers are cooking devices, not open burning, so no burn permit applies.
Smoker-related fire violations are enforced by the Shelby County Fire Department under the International Fire Code; improper placement on a multifamily balcony can be cited, and an escaped fire can create liability. Chronic smoke-nuisance complaints go to code enforcement.
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