Vancouver, WA Outdoor Cooking: Smoker Rules (2026)

SWCAA, which covers Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties, regulates visible emissions from outdoor combustion. SWCAA outdoor burning rules and burn-ban declarations apply countywide. During SWCAA Stage 1 burn bans, uncertified wood stoves and most wood-burning devices are prohibited unless they are the only adequate source of heat; pellet appliances generally remain allowed. During Stage 2 bans, all wood and pellet stoves, fireplaces, and similar devices are prohibited regardless of certification unless they are the only adequate source of heat — an exception that does not apply to a hobby smoker. Wood and charcoal smoking on multi-family balconies is governed by the Vancouver Fire Code (IFC 308.1.4 adopted at VMC 16.04) along with other open-flame cooking devices. Vancouver's noise rule at VMC 7.05.010 (public disturbance) reaches continuous mechanical noise that unreasonably disturbs the peace; smoker fans and pellet augers are evaluated on the public-disturbance standard rather than a fixed decibel limit. The city does not impose distance, hours-of-use, or smoke-density standards beyond what SWCAA and the Fire Marshal's Office enforce.