Fire Regulations in Union County, NC (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Union County, North Carolina.

Verified from official government sources

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

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires

In unincorporated Union County, the Unified Development Ordinance lets barbeque pits and outdoor fireplaces stand inside any required street, side or rear yard setback under Table 100-1, so long as the structure meets Article 35's general accessory-structure standards, including its own 5-foot rear and side setback once it sits behind the house.

Union County Fire Pit and BBQ Setback Rule

Light Restrictions

Union County Unified Development Ordinance § 100.050, Table 100-1; § 35.020

Table 100-1: ... Permitted Setback Obstructions (amended 8-6-2018) Street Side Rear Obstruction/Projection into Required Setback ... Barbeque pits and outdoor fireplaces (must comply with Article 35) Yes Yes Yes 2. ... Accessory buildings located in the rear yard (completely behind the rear building line) of an allowed residential use are subject to minimum rear and interior side setbacks of 5 ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Outdoor Burning

Union County outlaws setting or kindling any fire on county-owned or leased property unless a permit expressly allows it. The rule reaches parks and other government land, not private property generally, where state open-burning law and the NC Fire Code control instead.

Union County, NC Open Burning on County Property

Some Restrictions

Union County Code of Ordinances § 30-23

It shall be unlawful for anyone to set a fire on county property unless expressly allowed by a permit.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Union County ordinances

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