Fire Regulations in Chatham County, GA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Chatham County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Chatham County Code Sec. 21-306 (amended 2020) lets residents in or within a mile of a city or subdivision use fire pits less than 48 inches in diameter for recreation, provided the fire is safely contained by a structure able to hold it and burns only the resident's own materials.
Chatham County Fire Pit Rules (Code Sec. 21-306)
Some RestrictionsChatham County Code Sec. 21-306(2)(a)
Fire pits less than 48 inches in diameter, used solely for personal enjoyment and recreation when such a fire is contained safely by a structure sufficient enough to hold the fire therein.
Fireworks
Chatham County bans selling, wholesaling or otherwise disposing of fireworks and firecrackers anywhere in the unincorporated county, and bars storing any fireworks at all. Discharging fireworks is unlawful year-round, including Christmas and other holidays. Firing guns and building bonfires are barred in any park, square or grass plat.
Chatham County Fireworks Sale and Storage Ban
Heavy RestrictionsCode of Chatham County Sec. 21-201, 21-202
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to sell, either at wholesale or retail or in any other manner dispose of fireworks or fire crackers, of any kind or size, torpedo canes or sticks, torpedoes or percussion caps in Chatham County. No fireworks of any kind shall be stored in Chatham County. (#52, 11/26/37) ... It shall be unlawful for any person, during the Christmas or oth...
Brush Clearance
Chatham County Code Sec. 21-502 requires premises be kept clear of overgrown grass or weeds eighteen (18) inches or more in height. For disposal, Sec. 21-306 lets residents burn their own yard and storm debris for weed, pest and disease abatement, but only under the open-burning exceptions near cities.
Chatham County Brush, Weed & Debris Clearing Rules
Some RestrictionsChatham County Code Sec. 21-502(1)(d)
Any overgrown grass or weeds of a height of eighteen (18) inches or more or any other unkempt vegetation in any yard, front, side or rear.
Outdoor Burning
Chatham County Code Sec. 21-306 prohibits open burning within one mile of any city boundary or platted residential subdivision. Residents inside that zone may still burn only their own leaves, storm debris, or recreational and cooking fires. Chatham is NOT among Georgia's 54-county May-September summer burn ban counties.
Chatham County Outdoor / Open Burning Rules (Sec. 21-306)
Heavy RestrictionsChatham County Code Sec. 21-306(2)
No person, firm or corporation shall cause, suffer or allow to permit open burning as defined herein within one mile of the boundary of any municipal corporation nor any residential subdivision platted by the County or any municipality located within the County.
Smoke Detectors
Chatham County's Property Maintenance Code requires every dwelling unit in the unincorporated county to have an approved, listed smoke detector meeting UL217. Detectors must sit outside every sleeping area, inside every bedroom, and on every story including basements. Split-level units without a door between floors need only one alarm upstairs. Violators face enforcement under Section 21-509.
Smoke Alarm Rules in Chatham County, GA
Some RestrictionsCode of Chatham County §21-515(1)(h)
Smoke Detector Systems. Every dwelling unit shall be provided with an approved listed smoke detector installed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation and listing. When activated, the detector shall provide an audible alarm. The detector shall be tested in accordance with and meet the requirements of UL217 (1989), Single and Multiple Station Smoke Detectors. Smoke detector shall be...
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