Fire Regulations in Effingham County, GA (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Effingham County, Georgia.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Effingham County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires

Effingham County defines a backyard fire pit as a 'campfire or recreational fire' under Sec. 36-42, capped at three feet in diameter and two feet in height. Sec. 36-45 requires it sit at least 150 feet from a public road, 25 feet from woodlands or wetlands and 500 feet from a school, hospital or nursing home, and Sec. 36-48 limits burning to daylight hours with continuous adult supervision.

Fire Pit Rules in Effingham County

Some Restrictions

Effingham County Code §§ 36-42, 36-45, 36-48

Campfire or recreational fire means a small fire not exceeding three feet in diameter and two feet in height. ... All open burning shall comply with the following minimum setback requirements unless a greater distance is required by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ): ... (3)Public roads: 150 feet;(4)Woodlands, brush, or flammable vegetation: 25 feet;(5)Wetlands or streams: 25 feet; ... (7...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Outdoor Burning

In unincorporated Effingham County, Sec. 36-44 bars open burning during red flag warnings, burn bans, sustained winds over 10 mph, humidity under 30 percent, or other hazardous conditions set by the county, the Georgia Forestry Commission or EPD. Sec. 36-46 bans burning prohibited materials or using fire as a substitute for trash pickup. The fire chief, code enforcement or the sheriff's office can fine violators $250 to $1,000 per day under Sec. 36-50.3.

Open Burning Bans in Effingham County

Some Restrictions

Effingham County Code §§ 36-44, 36-46, 36-50.2, 36-50.3, 36-50.4

Open burning may be prohibited during any red flag warning, fire danger advisory, burn ban, or suspension issued by the county, GFC, or EPD; ... when sustained wind speeds exceed ten miles per hour; when relative humidity falls below 30 percent; ... or during any wind, drought, or atmospheric condition deemed hazardous by the AHJ. ... Except as otherwise expressly authorized by State law, it sh...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Effingham County ordinances

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