Outdoor Cooking in North Carolina (2026)
13 rules on the books across North Carolina, 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.
Durham
Significant RestrictionsDurham bars charcoal and gas grills within ten feet of any rooming house, boardinghouse, bed-and-breakfast inn…
Read full rule →Cleveland County
Some RestrictionsOn the Broad River Greenway, Cleveland County's park land along the river, grilling is confined to designated spots…
Read full rule →Cumberland County
Some RestrictionsGrilling at single-family homes is generally unrestricted. At apartments and condos, the North Carolina Fire Prevention…
Read full rule →Mebane
Few RestrictionsIn the City of Mebane, North Carolina, city code's recreational-fire rules on size, distance and attendance do not…
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.
Brunswick County
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County enforces the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code's open-flame cooking device rule in the…
Read full rule →Cleveland County
Some RestrictionsOpen flames in unincorporated Cleveland County, including bonfires and barbecue pits, must stay at least 50 feet from…
Read full rule →Concord
Some RestrictionsConcord lets you cook over an open flame at home under City Code Sec. 34-4(c)(2), but only with naturally cut wood…
Read full rule →Craven County
Some RestrictionsCraven County confines open fires and grilling in its parks and boat landings to fireplaces or grills the county itself…
Read full rule →Cumberland County
Some RestrictionsBackyard smokers at single-family homes are generally allowed. At multi-family buildings, the North Carolina Fire…
Read full rule →Jacksonville
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Jacksonville, North Carolina, any fire kindled outside a building needs a permit from the fire chief or…
Read full rule →Stedman
Some RestrictionsIn the Town of Stedman, North Carolina, Section 69.04(H) of the town's parks ordinance bars open fires in any town park…
Read full rule →Apex
Few RestrictionsApex's open-burning ban doesn't touch your grill or smoker: charcoal, wood, propane and natural-gas cooking appliances…
Read full rule →Greenville
Few RestrictionsCity Code § 12-1-19(B) exempts outdoor cooking from Greenville's open burning ban: commercially obtained or…
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