Fire Regulations in Forsyth County, GA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Forsyth County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Backyard fire pits in unincorporated Forsyth County must sit at least 25 feet from any structure and otherwise comply with the Unified Development Code. Code of Ordinances § 38-49(r) sets that distance for open fire pits on residential lots, on top of the Fire Department's general open-burning permit, hours and enforcement rules.
Forsyth County Fire Pit Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 38-49(r)
(r)Fire pits and outdoor fireplace structures located on residential lots shall comply with requirements of the Forsyth County Unified Development Code. Open fire pits shall be located a minimum of 25 feet from any structures.
Fireworks
Forsyth County bans launching fireworks, rockets or other pyrotechnics in any county park or recreation facility unless the person first obtains a special permit, and flying a model plane in a park likewise requires the director's written permission.
Forsyth County Park Fireworks Rules
Significant RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 54-34
Sec. 54-34. - Fireworks and model planes restricted. (a)Unless authorized by permit, it shall be a violation of this chapter for any person to use, light, shoot off, launch, fly, discharge, detonate or explode explosives or explosive devices or projectiles of any kind, including fireworks, rockets, or other pyrotechnics in any park or recreational facility without prior approval by special perm...
Brush Clearance
Georgia has no statewide defensible-space mandate, and Forsyth County sets no residential brush-clearance requirement. Clearing woods or vegetation by burning requires a Georgia Forestry Commission permit and is banned outright in summer.
Forsyth County Brush & Vegetation Clearance
Some RestrictionsO.C.G.A. § 12-6-90 (Burning woods, lands, or vegetation; permits)
shall prior to such burning obtain a permit therefor from the forest ranger of the county
Outdoor Burning
Open burning anywhere in unincorporated Forsyth County needs a permit unless the fire falls on a short exempt list, and every fire, permitted or not, is squeezed into a 10:00 a.m.-to-one-hour-before-sunset window. Section 38-49 layers a summer-only restriction across May through September, bans household garbage and sky lanterns outright, and charges $500 for any permit that requires a fee.
Forsyth County Outdoor Burning Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 38-49(a),(b),(e),(g),(h),(k)
(a)All burning operations in Forsyth County shall comply with "Rules for Air Quality Control" chapter 391-3-1 ... by the Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division, Air Protection Branch unless specifically modified herein.(b)No person shall cause, suffer, allow, or permit open burning in any area of Unincorporated Forsyth County without a permit unless specifically iden...
Smoke Detectors
Forsyth County requires a working smoke detector in every bedroom, adjoining hallway, and common area of a licensed short-term rental, built and mounted to current International Residential Code standards. The requirement is verified when the rental applies for its annual license.
Forsyth County STR Smoke Detector Rule
Some RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 22-268(d)(2)
(2)Every bedroom, adjoining hallway, and common area shall be equipped with an operational smoke detector that meets current IRC standards and shall be maintained in good working order at all times. The placement and mounting of each smoke detector shall comply with all applicable requirements of the current IRC.
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