Fire Regulations in Cleveland County, NC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Cleveland County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Cleveland County's fire code, at Section 11-45, lets residents in the unincorporated county build a backyard fire pit or bonfire without a permit as long as it sits at least twenty-five feet from any structure or combustible material, or is contained in a barbecue pit, and someone stays with it until it is out.
Cleveland County Recreational Fire Setback Rule
Some RestrictionsCleveland County Code § 11-45
In accordance with the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code Section 307, the following open burning requirements must be met: ... (7)Recreational fires. Recreational fires shall not be conducted within twenty-five (25) feet of a structure or combustible material unless the fire is contained to a barbecue pit. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within twenty-five (25) feet of a structu...
Fireworks
Cleveland County lets residents use only the low-grade 'safe and sane' fireworks state law allows, those with no more than four grams of explosive that stay on the ground, and Section 6-5 shuts off all fireworks use, including permitted professional displays, the moment the fire marshal declares a burning ban.
Cleveland County Fireworks Burning Ban Rule
Some RestrictionsCleveland County Code § 6-5
State fireworks laws permit the use of fireworks that do not contain more than four (4) grams of explosive and do not leave the ground (safe and sane fireworks). During times when weather conditions are dangerous to the point use of any fireworks may cause a fire, this section will apply so that any use of fireworks is prohibited if the fire marshal has issued a burning ban. In the event any pe...
Outdoor Burning
Cleveland County adopts the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code's open-burning standard under § 11-45: no one may kindle or maintain an open fire without following the section, and a bonfire, silvicultural burn or wildlife-management fire needs a permit from the code official first. The fire marshal can also declare an absolute burn ban when weather makes any outdoor burning unsafe.
Open Burning Rules and Burn Bans, Cleveland County
Significant RestrictionsCleveland County Code § 11-45
(1)General. ... A person shall not kindle or maintain or authorize to be kindled or maintained any open burning unless conducted and approved in accordance with this section.(2)Permit required. A permit shall be obtained from the code official in accordance with Section 105.6 of the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code prior to kindling a fire for recognized silvicultural or range of wildlife ma...
Smoke Detectors
Every dwelling unit in unincorporated Cleveland County must have an approved, listed smoke detector installed by the owner under the Minimum Housing Code. Once installed, the occupant is responsible for maintaining a battery-powered unit and testing it, splitting duty between landlord and tenant.
Cleveland County Smoke Detector Requirement
Some RestrictionsCleveland County Code § 3.5-38(j)
(j)Smoke detector systems. Every dwelling unit shall be provided with an approved listed smoke detector by the owner and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and listing. The occupant of the dwelling shall be responsible for the maintenance of any battery powered smoke detector system and the testing of any smoke detector system.
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