Grilling Rules in an Apartment Building: What to Consider When Grilling on a Balcony or Courtyard

Midsummer Day is just around the corner and the smell of grilling is already in the air. When setting up a grill on a apartment building balcony, however, you need to follow several rules to avoid potential fire hazards and trouble with neighbors and the housing association. Urmas Uibomäe, the head of Kinnisvara24, explains what rules apply to apartment building territory and private house yards.

Not every grill is suitable for use on a balcony. According to fire safety regulations, only a grill device whose user manual explicitly permits it can be used on a balcony or terrace attached to a building. According to the Rescue Board's assessment, most charcoal and wood grills do not have such permission, so their use on balconies is prohibited.

Using a gas or electric grill on a balcony is possible, but only if the manufacturer has approved it for balcony use. Additionally, all requirements listed in the user manual must be followed, including required distances from flammable materials. A fire extinguishing device must also be at hand.

"An electric grill is best suited for balcony use, but not every model is designed for it. Therefore, it's worth reviewing the user manual before purchase," said Uibomäe.

Housing associations have the right to completely ban grilling

Complying with fire safety regulations does not automatically mean you can grill on a balcony. A housing association has the right to ban grilling in its internal rules and the association's decision is binding for all residents.

Such bans are usually behind neighbor complaints. Grill smoke and food odors spread quickly in apartment buildings, moving through open windows and balcony doors into neighboring apartments. Balconies also make it more difficult to meet fire safety requirements and wind can carry sparks in unpredictable directions. Therefore, the housing association's ban is often a compromise that helps protect the interests of all residents.

If fire safety regulations are violated, the Rescue Board will intervene, and they have the right to impose an 80-euro fine on the spot. If the violation is accompanied by fire or the risk of fire, the penalty can be up to 2,400 euros.

Rules also apply in apartment building yards

If the housing association allows grilling in the apartment building yard, safety requirements must be followed there as well. The grill must be on a level surface and away from the building.

The grill device must be placed at the distance required by the user manual from the building. If the manual does not specify this, the statutory minimum of eight meters from the building and other flammable materials must be followed. A fire extinguishing device must be available at the grilling site, the fire must be under constant supervision, and after grilling, you must ensure that all combustion residue is completely extinguished.

According to Uibomäe, the organization of grilling in apartment building yards is often unregulated and can cause misunderstandings between neighbors. "Housing associations should clearly establish grilling-related matters in their internal rules, including designating a suitable grilling location and, if necessary, setting time restrictions," said Uibomäe.

In Tallinn, additional restrictions apply to grilling in public spaces. Grilling is permitted in the city only in designated and marked locations. Grilling is prohibited in other public places.

Private homeowners have more freedom

In a private house yard, there is considerably more freedom for grilling, but fire safety requirements must still be followed. The grill device's user manual determines the safe distance from the building and flammable materials. If the manual does not specify this, the statutory minimum of eight meters must be followed. The grill must be on a level surface.

During periods of high fire danger, which the Rescue Board periodically announces in spring and summer, the use of a grill device in forests and countryside is prohibited even in prepared locations. This ban does not apply to your own yard, but caution should still be exercised there.

According to Uibomäe, private homeowners have more decision-making freedom, but also greater responsibility. "A fire extinguisher must be at hand and the safety of children and pets must never be forgotten," he added.