Outdoor Cooking in Pennsylvania (2026)
17 rules on the books across Pennsylvania, 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.
Lower Merion
Significant RestrictionsLower Merion bans charcoal and propane grills, fireplaces and fire containers on the patios and balconies of…
Read full rule →Pottstown
Significant RestrictionsPottstown's Fire Prevention Code amendment, Section 308.3.1.2, prohibits storing a portable LPG cylinder of 20 pounds…
Read full rule →Upper Darby
Significant RestrictionsUpper Darby stripped out every exception to the Fire Code's open-flame cooking device rule, Section 308.1.4, so the…
Read full rule →Berks County
Some RestrictionsGrilling with propane, natural gas, or charcoal is allowed in Berks County and is expressly exempt from open-burning…
Read full rule →Bucks County
Some RestrictionsBucks County bars personally owned grills from its parks under Section 9.12(C)(2), except a camp stove used in a…
Read full rule →Chester County
Some RestrictionsBackyard grilling is allowed in Chester County; the county sets no rule. Statewide air rules (25 Pa Code 129.14) permit…
Read full rule →Millcreek
Some RestrictionsIn Millcreek Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania, cooking fires must be in an approved container and are not permitted…
Read full rule →Philadelphia
Some RestrictionsPhiladelphia's Fire Code bars charcoal burners, barbecue grills and other open-flame cooking devices from balconies and…
Read full rule →York County
Some RestrictionsYork County confines outdoor cooking fires in its park system to specific spots: charcoal grills only at existing…
Read full rule →Abington
Light RestrictionsPropane and gas grills count as a 'barbeque' under Abington Township's Chapter 65 and may be used without a burning…
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.
Allegheny County
Some RestrictionsAllegheny County restricts backyard smokers, grills, and outdoor fireplaces to clean wood, propane, natural gas…
Read full rule →Berks County
Some RestrictionsWood, pellet, and charcoal smokers are legal in Berks County. A smoker is a cooking fire, expressly exempt from PA's…
Read full rule →Chester County
Some RestrictionsBackyard smokers are allowed in Chester County as cooking devices; there is no county rule. State air rule 25 Pa Code…
Read full rule →Millcreek
Some RestrictionsIn Millcreek Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania, a cooking fire needs no permit but must sit in an approved container…
Read full rule →York County
Some RestrictionsYork County sets no rule on backyard smokers. A smoker used solely to cook food falls under the state open-burning…
Read full rule →Abington
Light RestrictionsAbington Township treats smoking devices as a form of barbeque under Chapter 65 of the Township Code, so outdoor…
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.