Outdoor Cooking in Minnesota (2026)
7 rules on the books across Minnesota, 5 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.
Woodbury
Heavy RestrictionsWoodbury bans grills, open flames, and stored fuel on balconies above ground level, or within 15 feet on ground-floor…
Read full rule →Maple Grove
Significant RestrictionsMaple Grove bans open flames and grills above ground level in taller multifamily buildings, unless the grill is far…
Read full rule →Anoka County
Some RestrictionsUnder the Minnesota State Fire Code, charcoal and gas grills may not be used on combustible balconies or within 10 feet…
Read full rule →Dakota County
Some RestrictionsThe Minnesota State Fire Code bans open-flame grilling on balconies and within 15 feet of buildings with three or more…
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.
Anoka County
Some RestrictionsAnoka County Parks restrict all outdoor cooking fires, including smokers and grills, to designated areas: fire rings or…
Read full rule →Dakota County
Some RestrictionsA backyard smoker is treated as a cooking device, not open burning, so it needs no DNR permit. But like grills…
Read full rule →Carver County
Few RestrictionsCharcoal grills, propane grills, and natural gas smokers are carved out of Carver County's open burning code entirely…
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