Outdoor Cooking in Maryland (2026)
13 rules on the books across Maryland, 9 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.
Calvert County
Significant RestrictionsIn Calvert County outside Chesapeake Beach and North Beach, using a gas grill, pull-behind grill, smoker or deep fryer…
Read full rule →Gaithersburg
Significant RestrictionsGaithersburg's fire code amendments push charcoal and gas grills away from apartment buildings: open-flame cooking…
Read full rule →Prince Georges County
Significant RestrictionsApartment and condo dwellers in Prince George's County cannot grill on a balcony or patio. Sec. 11-269 bans charcoal…
Read full rule →Annapolis
Some RestrictionsAnnapolis requires a mechanical permit from the Director of Planning and Zoning before installing, altering, or…
Read full rule →Anne Arundel County
Some RestrictionsGas-fired and charcoal grills used for cooking must be kept at least 15 feet from combustible construction under the…
Read full rule →Howard County
Some RestrictionsGrills, gas-fired grills and hibachis may not be used on a balcony, under an overhang, or within 15 feet of any…
Read full rule →Bowie
Light RestrictionsThe City of Bowie generally bans open storage of household items in yards, but City Code § 5-7 carves out patio…
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.
Prince Georges County
Significant RestrictionsCharcoal smokers and other charcoal-fired cooking appliances cannot be used or stored inside a building, trailer, or…
Read full rule →Anne Arundel County
Some RestrictionsAnne Arundel County's Fire Prevention Code requires hibachis, gas-fired grills, and charcoal grills (which cover…
Read full rule →Bowie
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Bowie, private grills in city parks are limited without a permit: cooking surfaces over six square feet…
Read full rule →Howard County
Some RestrictionsSmokers are treated as cooking devices under Howard County fire code. Kept at 3 feet or under, a smoker must stay 15…
Read full rule →Montgomery County
Some RestrictionsMontgomery County bans charcoal, other fuel-burning, or electric cooking equipment within 20 feet of any multi-family…
Read full rule →Worcester County
Light RestrictionsIn unincorporated Worcester County, Maryland, cooking food outdoors on other than commercial premises is allowed under…
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