Outdoor Cooking in Ohio (2026)
14 rules on the books across Ohio, 10 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.
Cleveland
Significant RestrictionsCleveland's Fire Prevention Code bans kindling or maintaining a fire in any outdoor or portable grill inside a dwelling…
Read full rule →Medina
Significant RestrictionsMedina bans propane and charcoal grills, hibachis and chimeneas on balconies, porches, rooftops and common walkways of…
Read full rule →Hamilton County
Some RestrictionsThe Ohio Fire Code bans charcoal and other open-flame cooking devices on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of…
Read full rule →Lima
Some RestrictionsBarbecue grilling is allowed in Lima. Grills and barbecue pits are exempt from the open-burning rules (they are not…
Read full rule →Lorain County
Some RestrictionsSingle-family and two-family homes can grill freely. But under the Ohio Fire Code (Sec. 308), charcoal and LP-gas…
Read full rule →Canton
Few RestrictionsIn the City of Canton, Ohio, a small fire contained in a non-commercial, clean-burning enclosed cooking apparatus…
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.
Columbus
Some RestrictionsColumbus requires written Building and Fire Code Official approval before installing a permanent natural gas grill…
Read full rule →Hamilton County
Some RestrictionsBackyard smokers count as open-flame cooking under the Ohio Fire Code. On combustible apartment balconies they fall…
Read full rule →Lorain County
Some RestrictionsBackyard smokers are legal for cooking and are exempt from Ohio's open-burning ban when used to prepare food with clean…
Read full rule →Medina
Some RestrictionsMedina bars residents of duplexes, apartments, and similar multi-unit buildings from grilling, smoking, or using any…
Read full rule →Newark
Some RestrictionsThe Newark Code of Ordinances never uses the word smoker. In the City of Newark, Ohio, outdoor cooking fires fall under…
Read full rule →Marion
Light RestrictionsIn the City of Marion, Ohio, outdoor cooking is allowed under § 660.08(C)(1) as one of the narrow exceptions to the…
Read full rule →Springfield
Few RestrictionsIn the City of Springfield, Ohio, cooking fires for human consumption are exempt from the Ohio EPA open-burning…
Read full rule →Outdoor Kitchen Permits
Building permits for built-in outdoor kitchens, including gas line installation, electrical, plumbing, structural permits, and setback rules from the main house.