Barbecuing Do’s and Don’ts

The time is right for breaking out the barbecue grill. But as with so many other fun things in this city of eight million souls, there are a lot of rules to follow when you fire up the grill. Here are some noteworthy do’s and don’ts:

Don’t

•    Use a propane grill on the roof, terraces, or balconies of any building. (A propane tank that’s smaller than 16.4 ounces is allowed in some cases.)
•    Use a charcoal grill on the roof of any building.
•    Barbecue on a fire escape.
•    Use a propane grill if more than three families live in the building.
•    Ever grill on a sidewalk or indoors.

Do

•    Use a natural-gas grill, provided it’s designed for residential and not commercial use, and provided the gas line was installed by a licensed master plumber.
•    Use a charcoal grill on a terrace or in a yard, provided there is a 10-foot clearance between the grill and the building. Always have a fire extinguisher or water supply close at hand.
•    Use electric grills on balconies, terraces, roofs, and yards, provided co-op or condo rules allow it. If you use an extension cord, make sure it can handle the heavy current required to run electric grills.
•    Grill at any of the hundreds of barbecue pits in city parks, though if your party is greater than 20 people, you’ll need a permit from the Department of Parks. And remember to place used matches and spent (doused) coals in designated red barrels. Drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking are now forbidden in New York City parks.