Enjoy Your Steaks! Condo Owners and Renters Free To Grill On Balconies

Condo and apartment dwellers with non-combustible balconies can now enjoy grilling a few steaks without the risk of being fined up to $750.

Oak Lawn trustees passed a change to the local fire ordinance pertaining to open flame cooking devices with wording from the International Fire Code during a special meeting of the village board on Wednesday.

The ordinance now reads: “Charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices shall not be operated within 10 feet of combustible construction. No cooking devices shall be operated or located on combustible balconies.”

Grilling is now permitted on non-combustible balconies, provided that it’s okay with landlords, condominium boards and home associations.

“Our local ordinance is more stringent that the International Fire Code,” Oak Lawn Fire Chief George Sheets said. “I think it’s a win-win for the community. We still agree on combustible balconies, but non-combustible balconies can be regulated by condo boards.”

Lifelong Oak Lawn resident and condo dweller Frank Malinowski said he’s been grilling on his “non-flammable” balcony for 15 years.

“I’ve never seen or came across any situation that would seem to cause any public danger,” Malinowski said. “I think a situation like this should be left to the condominium association themselves or apartment owners whether grilling is allowed.”

Dan Kruse said watching neighbors grill on their balconies in the condominium directly across from him was a source of frustration since he was told he had to give up the grill two years ago that his wife bought him for Father’s Day.

“I can’t stand here and say this is going to have a huge economic impact but it’s more of an emotional family issue,” Kruse said. “It was one of those small joys that we had in our life.”

Trustees passed the change to the ordinance 5-0. Tr. Tim Desmond (Dist. 1) was not at the special meeting.

Tr. Bob Streit (Dist. 3) said that he had asked Chief Sheets to provide language amending the ordinance after he was contacted by Malinowski and other residents.

“I was kind of shocked when I saw it on the agenda. It was the fastest thing I’ve seen happen around here,” Streit said. “This is really great news for people that have non-combustible balconies. It was one of those things that makes a lot of sense and is logical.”