Forsyth County, GA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Defensible Space
- No county mandate
- Burn Permit
- GFC, O.C.G.A. §12-6-90
- Summer Ban
- May 1 – Sept 30
- Disposal
- Chip or haul
Summary
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.
shall prior to such burning obtain a permit therefor from the forest ranger of the county
Full Breakdown
Forsyth County does not require homeowners to maintain a cleared defensible zone; there is no California-style vegetation-management mandate here. Property owners who want to burn brush, branches, or woods to clear land must obtain a burn permit from the Georgia Forestry Commission under O.C.G.A. §12-6-90 before igniting, and follow the Forsyth County Fire Marshal's notification rules. Because Forsyth sits in the metro-Atlanta ozone area, all land-clearing and yard-debris burning is prohibited from May 1 through September 30. Overgrown lots are handled instead under the county's property-maintenance and nuisance provisions, and by chipping or hauling debris.
Violations & Fines
Clearing brush by burning without a Georgia Forestry Commission permit, or burning during the summer ban, brings state and county penalties, plus liability and suppression costs if a fire escapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Forsyth County require me to clear brush around my house?
Can I burn brush to clear my land?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Forsyth County
Compare Forsyth County to another location·View the Georgia fire regulations overview
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