Outdoor Cooking in Indiana (2026)
11 rules on the books across Indiana, 11 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
BBQ & Propane Rules
When you can use a propane or charcoal grill on a balcony, deck, or patio. Many fire codes prohibit propane on multi-family balconies; some cities ban charcoal anywhere within 10 feet of a building.
Allen County
Some RestrictionsBackyard barbecuing is expressly allowed in Allen County: cookout fires are exempt from open-burning distance limits…
Read full rule →Carmel
Some RestrictionsOutdoor propane and natural-gas grills are expressly allowed in Carmel: they are one of the few exceptions to the…
Read full rule →Dearborn County
Light RestrictionsDearborn County, Indiana has no standing grill placement rule for balconies or multifamily housing. Its only grill…
Read full rule →Howard County
Light RestrictionsGrills, fire pits, and fireplaces are the one carve-out from Howard County's blanket open-burning ban: § 92.02(B)(1)…
Read full rule →Smoker Rules
Rules for backyard smokers, pellet grills, and wood-fired ovens including smoke-nuisance enforcement, time-of-day limits, and HOA restrictions.
Noblesville
Significant RestrictionsOutdoor cooking fires in Noblesville must burn only wood products, stay attended until fully out, and be extinguished…
Read full rule →Elkhart County
Some RestrictionsWant to grill or run a smoker at an Elkhart County park? Section 93.017(A) lets you, but only with untreated natural…
Read full rule →Gary
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Gary, Municipal Code § 30-1(c) bars anyone from building or maintaining a campfire, barbecue stand or…
Read full rule →Lafayette
Light RestrictionsLafayette exempts outdoor grills, smokers, and traditional cooking fires from its open-burning ban, so long as they…
Read full rule →Muncie
Light RestrictionsIn the City of Muncie, once the fire chief declares an open burning ban, Section 91.30(D) still allows two fire…
Read full rule →Bloomington
Few RestrictionsIn the City of Bloomington, backyard grills and smokers do not need a fire chief burning permit. BMC § 18.16.020…
Read full rule →Fort Wayne
Few RestrictionsFort Wayne's open-burning ban excludes barbecue pits and grills burning charcoal, so grilling or smoking on your own…
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