Tacoma, WA Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)

PSCAA Regulation I Section 9.11 sets a 20% opacity limit (about Ringelmann 1) for outdoor combustion emissions for more than 3 minutes in any 60-minute period; this routinely applies to wood and pellet smokers that smolder. PSCAA enforces this rule countywide in Pierce County. During PSCAA Stage 1 burn bans, wood-burning smokers are prohibited; pellet smokers may continue to operate. During Stage 2 burn bans, all wood and pellet smokers are prohibited regardless of certification, with limited exemptions for homes with no other heat source (which generally does not apply to smokers). Wood and charcoal smoking on multi-family balconies is governed by Tacoma Fire Code (IFC 308.1.4 adopted in TMC Title 3) along with all other open-flame cooking devices. The Tacoma Noise Code at TMC 8.122 limits residential exterior sound to 60 dB and includes 10 PM-7 AM weekday quiet hours (10 PM-9 AM weekends); mechanical fans on pellet smokers should be evaluated against this limit. The city does not impose distance, hours-of-use, or smoke-density standards beyond what PSCAA and TFD enforce.