Outdoor Cooking in New York (2026)
17 rules on the books across New York, 15 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.
Islip
Heavy RestrictionsTown of Islip Code § 37-40(T) bans using a barbecue, hibachi or any open-flame portable cooking device on, within 25…
Read full rule →Smithtown
Significant RestrictionsSmithtown Code § 164-137 bans the use of barbecues on the balconies or patios of multiple-residence facilities such as…
Read full rule →Yonkers
Significant RestrictionsYonkers City Code § 59-41H lets the Fire Department order the elimination of any barbecue apparatus or cooking…
Read full rule →New York
Some RestrictionsNew York City's Fire Code caps propane grills by building type: apartment buildings may only use 16.4-ounce cylinders…
Read full rule →Orange County
Some RestrictionsOrange County bans open flames and portable stoves or grills in its parks except in designated picnic areas and…
Read full rule →Oyster Bay
Some RestrictionsOyster Bay requires barbecue propane tanks to stay at least 15 feet from any building at all times, and bans storing…
Read full rule →Ramapo
Some RestrictionsRamapo bars grills, barbecues and other propane or open-flame cooking devices within 10 feet of any multiple-dwelling…
Read full rule →Syracuse
Some RestrictionsSyracuse's Property Conservation Code lets residents cook outdoors with charcoal, wood, natural gas or propane, but…
Read full rule →Huntington
Light RestrictionsHuntington's zoning code lets homeowners keep an uncovered barbeque grill in the rear yard, but Town Code § 198-58(E)…
Read full rule →Monroe County
Few RestrictionsMonroe County's open burning law explicitly permits fires in outdoor grills and fireplaces used to prepare food…
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.
Colonie
Significant RestrictionsTown Code § 137-16 confines open fires in Colonie parks to devices built for that purpose, restricts grill fuel to…
Read full rule →Yonkers
Significant RestrictionsYonkers City Code § 103-82 makes it unlawful to kindle a fire, barbecue, grill, portable stove or burning charcoal or…
Read full rule →Cheektowaga
Some RestrictionsCheektowaga's open-burning law carves out outdoor grills and fireplaces used to cook food, along with indoor fireplaces…
Read full rule →Clarkstown
Some RestrictionsClarkstown bans charcoal burners and open-flame cooking devices within 10 feet of any building or combustible…
Read full rule →New York
Some RestrictionsNew York City's Air Pollution Control Code bans open-air fires outdoors but exempts charcoal or gas barbecue equipment…
Read full rule →Amherst
Light RestrictionsIn the Town of Amherst outside the Village of Williamsville, Code Chapter 36 defines an 'Approved Container' as a…
Read full rule →Brookhaven
Few RestrictionsBackyard smokers, grills, and other barbecues are exempt from Brookhaven's bonfire and rubbish-fire permit rules. Town…
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