Fire Regulations in Buncombe County, NC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Buncombe County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Recreational fires like a backyard fire pit must stay at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material in unincorporated Buncombe County under County Code Sec. 30-49(i), and must be constantly attended with an extinguisher or hose on hand. No permit is required for a recreational fire itself, unlike a bonfire.
Recreational Fire & Fire Pit Rules
Some RestrictionsBuncombe County Code Sec. 30-49(i)
(f)Location. The location for open burning shall be not less than 50 feet (15,240 mm) from any structure, and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading to within 50 feet (15,240 mm) of any structure...(i)Recreational fires. Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet (7,620 mm) of a structure or combustible material. Conditions that could cause a fire to spread wi...
Fireworks
North Carolina bans nearly all consumer fireworks statewide. Only non-aerial, non-explosive novelties, sparklers, fountains, snakes, party poppers, and smoke devices are legal. Anything that flies, explodes, or spins is illegal in Buncombe County.
Consumer Fireworks Are Banned in Buncombe County
Some RestrictionsNCGS 14-410(a)
It shall be unlawful for any individual, firm, partnership or corporation to manufacture, purchase, sell, deal in, transport, possess, receive, advertise, use, handle, exhibit, or discharge any pyrotechnics of any description whatsoever within the State of North Carolina.
Outdoor Burning
Residents may burn leaves, brush, and yard trimmings from their own property on approved burn days between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., with nothing added after 6 p.m. Burning trash, plastics, and building materials is banned, and open burning is prohibited where yard-waste pickup exists.
Open Burning Rules in Buncombe County
Some RestrictionsNCGS 106-943(b)
It shall be unlawful for any person to start or cause to be started any fire or ignite any material in any woodland under the protection of the Department or within 500 feet of any such woodland during the hours starting at midnight and ending at 4:00 P.M. without first obtaining a permit from the Department. Permits may be obtained from forest rangers or other agents authorized by the forest r...
Smoke Detectors
Every rental dwelling in unincorporated Buncombe County needs a UL-listed (or equivalent) smoke detector on each level, plus detectors in stairwells, hallways, and common areas of multi-unit buildings. Sec. 10-159(1)h of the Rental Housing Ordinance requires installation to meet NFPA Standard 72 or the maker's instructions, and the landlord must keep proof of compliance on hand.
Smoke Detector Rule for Buncombe County Rentals
Some RestrictionsBuncombe County Code Sec. 10-159(1)h (Smoke detector requirement, Rental Housing Ordinance)
h.Every dwelling shall be provided with a smoke detector listed by Underwriter's Laboratories, Inc. or other equivalent national testing laboratory on each level of the dwelling and in stairwells, hallways and other common areas of multiple-unit dwellings. Such detectors shall be installed in accordance with either National Fire Protection Association Standard 72, National Fire Alarm Code, Chap...
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