Outdoor Cooking in South Carolina (2026)
11 rules on the books across South Carolina, 7 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.
Horry County
Heavy RestrictionsOn Horry County's public beaches, propane grills are banned outright: Code § 5-4 makes it unlawful to build, start, or…
Read full rule →Charleston County
Some RestrictionsBackyard propane and charcoal grilling is legal in Charleston County, and cooking fires are expressly exempt from the…
Read full rule →Greenville County
Some RestrictionsCooking outdoors is broadly allowed in Greenville County. Fires for preparing food for immediate consumption are exempt…
Read full rule →Spartanburg County
Some RestrictionsPropane and charcoal grilling is allowed and needs no Forestry Commission notification, because cooking fires are…
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.
Charleston
Some RestrictionsCharleston allows grills, smokers and other open-flame cooking devices outdoors only if they're purpose-built for…
Read full rule →Charleston County
Some RestrictionsWood and charcoal smokers are legal for backyard use in Charleston County because cooking fires are exempt from SC's…
Read full rule →Greenville County
Some RestrictionsBackyard smokers and pellet or charcoal cookers are treated as cooking devices in Greenville County, so their smoke is…
Read full rule →Horry County
Some RestrictionsOutdoor smokers, fire pits, chimeneas and woodstoves get a conditional pass from Horry County's open-burning ban: Code…
Read full rule →Richland County
Some RestrictionsBackyard smokers, BBQ pits, and grills are treated as cooking devices in Richland County. A fire used for immediate…
Read full rule →Spartanburg County
Some RestrictionsUsing a smoker or barbecue pit to cook food is allowed with no Forestry Commission notification, because cooking fires…
Read full rule →Mount Pleasant
Light RestrictionsThe Town of Mount Pleasant treats a barbeque or charcoal grill fire used solely for cooking as exempt from its…
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