Tempe has no specific city ordinance regulating residential backyard smokers or pellet grills. Maricopa County Air Quality Rule 314 declares PM-10 No Burn Days (typically December through February) that prohibit solid-fuel devices including wood-fired smokers and pellet grills; gas and propane are exempt. Tempe nuisance provisions could theoretically address persistent severe smoke but rarely apply to residential cooking. HOA rules are lighter than in surrounding cities but exist in The Lakes and Warner Ranch.
Tempe City Code does not regulate residential outdoor cooking smokers or pellet grills directly. Maricopa County Air Quality Department issues PM-10 high pollution advisories (No Burn Days) under Maricopa County Rule 314, typically during winter months when temperature inversions trap particulate pollution in the Salt River Valley. On No Burn Days all wood and solid-fuel burning is prohibited, including residential wood-fired smokers and pellet grills using compressed wood pellets. Propane and natural gas smokers are exempt. Arizona Department of Environmental Quality rule R18-2-219 governs visible emissions but exempts residential cooking. Tempe nuisance provisions in City Code could theoretically address persistent severe smoke that creates a nuisance condition, but enforcement against residential cooking is essentially nonexistent. HOA CC&Rs in Tempe communities like The Lakes, Warner Ranch, Circle G Ranches, and Lakes at Westchester may regulate smoker hours and placement. ARS 33-1819 protects single-family residential outdoor cooking from outright HOA prohibition but allows reasonable time and placement rules.
No Burn Day violations under Maricopa County Rule 314 and ARS 49-501 carry penalties up to $250 per occurrence. Tempe nuisance violations are rare for residential cooking but possible if smoke creates a verified nuisance condition. HOA violations follow CC&R fine schedules, typically $25 to $250 per violation with continuing escalation.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Maricopa County.
See how other cities in Maricopa County handle smoker rules.
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