With outdoor grilling season upon us, I wanted to share the City of Boston's fire safety rules for rooftops, patios, and balconies.Urban dwellers love getting the most out of outdoor spaces while the weather is warm. Dinner and drinks on your condo deck, balcony, or patio is one of the joys of summer in the city. Heres what you need to know to stay safe and legal.If you are planning to cook on your outdoor space, first learnBostonsfire safety rules.There are many good reasons to be aware of the rules, first and foremost being the safety of you and your neighbors. But knowing and abiding by the rules also helps to safeguard your legal and financial liability.Below is a simplified listof the rules. Or you can see theregulations in full.Plumbed gas grills:Theseare permittedon the exterior of any building level. The gas line must be installed by a licensed plumber who has procured the required permits.Electric grillsare permittedon the exterior of any building level. As with the gas grills, the line you are using has to be installed by a licensed electrician, and has to have a permit and be up to code.Charcoal grillsare NOT permitted at all on or within a building structure, or on roof or rear decks. Regulations do not specify whether they are permissible on an outside patio, but the regulations highly discourage them, and you may be legally and financially liable for any damage or injury you cause from flying sparks, fumes, etc.. *Read the regulations in full for charcoal grill safety recommendations.Liquid propane (LP) grills:Permitted by the City of Bostonexcept:
- are not permittedinside the building.
- are not permitted onbalconies above the first floor of any building or structure used for habitation.
- are not permittedon balconies or deckson any levelthat are covered or enclosed. This includes a first floor deck with a deck above it.
As always, Im here to help ifyou have questions about Boston real estate matters. Please feel free to call me at617-584-9790, or email me by clicking the blue button below. If youd like to find a beautiful new home in Boston that has a deck upon which to grill (legally, of course),definitelyget in touch.
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