Fire Regulations in Worcester County, MD (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Worcester County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
In unincorporated Worcester County, Maryland, § PS 1-504(a)(5) of the Code of Public Local Laws allows open burning for recreational purposes such as campfires, provided only unpainted or untreated wood is burned. The fire stays under supervision until it is completely out, and the Control Officer or Fire Marshal can bar a burn that creates a nuisance.
Worcester County Fire Pit and Campfire Rules
Light RestrictionsWorcester County Code § PS 1-504
§ PS 1-504. Open burning exemptions. (a) Exemptions. Except as provided in this Subtitle, open burning, in conformance with other governmental fire control ordinances and provided no nuisance or air pollution is created, is allowed with permission as follows: ... (4) Cooking of food on other than commercial premises or cooking of food on certain char-broilers or pit barbecues which are subject ...
Fireworks
In unincorporated Worcester County, Maryland, possession of ground-based sparkling devices such as cylindrical or cone fountains is prohibited on top of the fireworks banned by state law. Non-aerial, nonexplosive devices labeled under U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission requirements, with a visual effect of no more than twelve feet in height, are legal to possess.
Worcester County Ground-Based Sparkling Device Fireworks Rules
Significant RestrictionsWorcester County Code § PS 1-410(d)
(d) Additional regulations prohibiting certain fireworks. ... (1) In addition to fireworks prohibited by state law, the possession of ground-based sparkling devices, including without limitation, cylindrical or cone fountains, whether aerial or non-aerial and whether explosive or non-explosive, shall be prohibited in Worcester County, except and limited as follows: A. It shall be legal to posse...
Outdoor Burning
In unincorporated Worcester County, Maryland, no one can cause or permit open burning except as the Open Burning Regulations allow. The Control Officer or the Fire Marshal can block even allowed burning in their sole discretion for air stagnation, air quality, nuisance or a missing permit, and every allowed burn must stay supervised until completely extinguished.
Worcester County Open Burning Prohibition and Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsWorcester County Code § PS 1-502
(a) Generally. A person may not cause or permit open burning except as provided in this Subtitle. (b) Discretion of Control Officer or Fire Marshal. A person may not knowingly cause or permit open burning as allowed by this Subtitle when, in the sole discretion and judgement of either the Control Officer or the Fire Marshal: (1) A condition of air stagnation exists; (2) Any national or state am...
Smoke Detectors
In unincorporated Worcester County, Maryland, every rental housing unit must have at least one single-station smoke detector in the vicinity of each sleeping area, installed and maintained under Article 38A, § 12A of the Maryland Code as cited in § BR 3-111. The owner supplies and maintains it, and the alarm must warn occupants within the unit.
Worcester County MD Rental Smoke Detector Requirements
Some RestrictionsWorcester County Code § BR 3-111
(b) Responsibility of owner. ... The owner of the structure shall provide and maintain such fire safety facilities and equipment in compliance with these requirements and the fire prevention code. A person shall not let to another for occupancy or use any premises which does not comply with the following requirements of this section. ... (2) Smoke detectors. A. All housing units shall be provid...
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