Fire Regulations in Charleston, SC

If you live in Charleston or are thinking about moving there, fire regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Charleston has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of fire regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Fireworks

Charleston bans using, possessing, selling or storing fireworks anywhere within city limits under City Code Section 13-191, with no exception for July 4th or New Year's. Only sparklers and low-explosive toy caps are carved out; everything else requires a public-display permit from the chief fire official under Section 13-192.

Key details: Prohibited citywide: Use, sale, possession, storage of consumer fireworks. Exempt items: Sparklers, toy caps under .20 grain explosive. Public display: Requires written permit from chief fire official. Permit discretion: Chief fire official may grant, deny, or condition. State law basis: S.C. Code § 23-35-10 et seq..

Using, possessing, selling or storing fireworks without a Section 13-192 display permit is unlawful under Section 13-191; the Charleston Police Department can confiscate the devices and issue a citation. No dollar penalty is specified in the section itself, so violations default to the general municipal penalty for Code violations under Section 1-16, which allows a fine and up to 30 days' imprisonment.

This is one of the stricter rules in Charleston's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires

Charleston allows backyard fire pits and recreational fires only inside a purpose-built container, kept twenty-five feet from any structure or combustible material, constantly attended and backed by a portable fire extinguisher rated at least 4-A. A cooking pit is capped at three feet in diameter and two feet in height under City Code Section 13-10(c)(2) and (c)(3).

Key details: Setback from structures: 25 feet for recreational and pit fires. Pit fuel area limit: 3 ft diameter, 2 ft height maximum. Attendance: Constantly attended until fully extinguished. Extinguisher: Portable extinguisher rated 4-A minimum on-site. Penalty: Fine up to $500.00 per Sec. 13-10(e).

Violating the fire pit standards, undersized clearance, an unattended blaze, or a missing extinguisher, is enforced under Section 13-10(e) as an open burning violation carrying a fine of up to $500.00. Fire department, police department and fire code officials can order immediate extinguishment of any noncompliant fire, and a fire that also creates a public nuisance under Chapter 21 can draw separate nuisance enforcement.

Outdoor Burning

Charleston bans open burning citywide unless a fire falls into one of seven listed exceptions in City Code Section 13-10, covering contained cooking fires, recreational fire pits, backfiring, permitted heating equipment, firefighter training and hurricane-debris removal. Any other open flame outdoors is unlawful and can be ordered extinguished on the spot.

Key details: Default rule: All open burning prohibited unless exempted. Exceptions: 7 listed uses: cooking, recreational, backfire, equipment, training, debris. Penalty: Fine up to $500.00 under Sec. 13-10(e). Enforcement: Fire dept, police dept, fire code officials. Nuisance overlap: Noncompliant fire also enforceable under Chapter 21.

Any open burning outside the seven listed exceptions is a violation of Section 13-10(e), punishable by a fine of up to $500.00. Fire department, police department and fire code officials can order immediate extinguishment of a noncompliant fire without waiting for a citation, and a fire that also rises to a public nuisance under Chapter 21 can draw separate nuisance enforcement and abatement costs.

This is one of the stricter rules in Charleston's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Charleston is tougher than many cities when it comes to fire regulations. Out of the 3 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Charleston, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Charleston's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.