Recreational and cooking fires are allowed in Johns Creek without a permit when used for cooking food for immediate consumption. Larger open burning needs a Fire Marshal permit, must be daylight-only, kept to 4 ft by 4 ft, and at least 50 ft from any structure or wooden fence.
Johns Creek Code Chapter 21 prohibits open burning citywide without a special permit from the Fire Marshal, with an explicit exception for open burning conducted in a reasonable fashion for the purpose of cooking food for immediate human consumption — covering backyard recreational cooking fires and barbecues. For yard-debris or recreational burn piles that exceed the cooking exception, the Johns Creek Fire Department Burning Guidelines apply: burning during daylight hours only, piles kept to a maximum 4 feet by 4 feet, and the burn pile at least 50 feet from any structure or wooden fence. Only natural fallen vegetation (limbs, leaves, twigs) may be burned; no household garbage, grass clippings, or construction material. The Fire Marshal can prohibit any burn deemed offensive to others or a health risk. Georgia's recreational-fire and barbecue exemption keeps these fires legal even during the May 1–September 30 statewide burn ban, but residents should keep a water source or extinguisher handy and never leave a fire unattended. Always check for any local burn restrictions before lighting up.
Burning beyond the cooking exception without a Fire Marshal permit, exceeding size or setback limits, or burning prohibited materials can be ordered extinguished and cited under Chapter 21.
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