GermanyWhat are the rules about barbecuing and smoke affecting neighbors?
Yes, but only if the smoke is minor and customary for your area. Persistent or heavy barbecue smoke that significantly disrupts your neighbor’s use of their property may be unlawful under § 906 BGB.
What the Law Says
German law balances property rights with neighborly tolerance. Under § 906 of the German Civil Code (BGB), you generally must tolerate minor interferences — like occasional barbecue smoke — unless they unreasonably affect your neighbor’s enjoyment of their land.
Section 906 BGB sets the legal standard for tolerable interference from neighboring properties. It covers smoke, odors, noise, heat, and vibrations. The core idea is that neighbors must accept minor disturbances — especially those considered ‘customary’ in the area — but not serious or avoidable ones.
Paragraph (1) says interference is permissible if it only insignificantly affects the neighbor’s use of their land — typically when official immission limits (e.g., from the Federal Immission Control Act) are not exceeded.
Paragraph (2) adds that even *significant* interference may be tolerated if it results from a ‘customary local use’ of the property (like regular grilling in a residential garden) and cannot be prevented by economically reasonable measures. In such cases, the affected neighbor may still claim reasonable monetary compensation ('angemessener Ausgleich') if the impact exceeds what is reasonably bearable.
Paragraph (3) prohibits directing smoke or other emissions via special ducts or pipes — meaning you can’t intentionally channel barbecue smoke toward a neighbor’s windows or balcony.
Statutory TextDer Eigentümer eines Grundstücks kann die Zuführung von Gasen, Dämpfen, Gerüchen, Rauch, Ruß, Wärme, Geräusch, Erschütterungen und ähnliche von einem anderen Grundstück ausgehende Einwirkungen insoweit nicht verbieten, als die Einwirkung die Benutzung seines Grundstücks nicht oder nur unwesentlich beeinträchtigt.
— BGB § 906 (1) — German Civil Code
Statutory TextDas Gleiche gilt insoweit, als eine wesentliche Beeinträchtigung durch eine ortsübliche Benutzung des anderen Grundstücks herbeigeführt wird und nicht durch Maßnahmen verhindert werden kann, die Benutzern dieser Art wirtschaftlich zumutbar sind.
— BGB § 906 (2) — German Civil Code
Statutory TextHat der Eigentümer hiernach eine Einwirkung zu dulden, so kann er von dem Benutzer des anderen Grundstücks einen angemessenen Ausgleich in Geld verlangen, wenn die Einwirkung eine ortsübliche Benutzung seines Grundstücks oder dessen Ertrag über das zumutbare Maß hinaus beeinträchtigt.
— BGB § 906 (2) — German Civil Code
What Courts Have Said
German courts apply § 906 BGB fact-specifically — focusing on frequency, intensity, duration, and local norms. A landmark ruling clarifies when barbecue smoke crosses the line.
The court granted injunctive relief to a neighbor suffering persistent, heavy barbecue smoke several times per week. It ruled that frequent grilling producing dense, drifting smoke — exceeding what is typical for the neighborhood — constitutes an intolerable immission under § 906 BGB.
What to Do
Limit barbecuing to reasonable frequency (e.g., occasional weekends, not daily or multiple times weekly).
Use clean-burning fuel (e.g., hardwood charcoal or gas) and position the grill to minimize smoke drift toward neighbors.
Talk with your neighbor first — many disputes resolve informally with mutual understanding or small adjustments.
If complaints escalate, review local municipal rules (some cities restrict grilling in multi-family buildings or set time limits).
If sued or served with a cease-and-desist letter, consult a lawyer — defenses may include proof of customary use or efforts to mitigate smoke.
Sources
Related Questions
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: June 2026.