Topeka, KS Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)

The Topeka Fire Department's Fire Prevention Division interprets IFC §308.1.4 to cover all open-flame and ember-producing cooking devices, including: traditional charcoal smokers (offset, vertical, bullet), wood-fired smokers, pellet smokers (which ignite wood pellets with an electric heating element but produce open embers), kamado-style ceramic smokers (Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe), and any solid-fuel cooking appliance. These are subject to the same multi-family prohibition as propane and charcoal grills: not permitted on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction in buildings of three or more dwelling units. Exceptions parallel those for grills: sprinklered structures (NFPA 13/13R), one- and two-family dwellings and townhomes, and listed electric smokers. At single-family residences, smokers are unrestricted by city code beyond manufacturer clearances from combustible siding and overhangs. Smoke nuisance: persistent smoke crossing property lines may be addressed under Topeka's general nuisance provisions in the Code of Ordinances (administered by Code Enforcement through the Property Maintenance Code and nuisance chapters). Air quality: residential smoker operation is generally not a regulatory air-quality concern under Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) rules, but neighbor complaints during prolonged low-and-slow cooks (overnight briskets, etc.) can trigger code-enforcement review. Burn restrictions: during high fire-danger conditions declared by the Kansas Forest Service or county fire marshal, open burning may be restricted; contained pellet/electric smokers typically remain allowed but check current restrictions on shawneecounty.gov or topeka.gov during summer drought conditions.