Greenville County, SC Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Defensible-space law
- None statewide
- Clearing method
- Debris burn, notify Forestry
- Land-clearing setback
- 1,000 ft, non-residential
- Burn hours
- 9 a.m.-3 p.m., large burns
- Precautions
- Attended, equipment ready
Summary
South Carolina has no statewide defensible-space clearance mandate like California. In Greenville County brush is usually cleared by burning yard debris, which is legal under Regulation 61-62.2 only after you notify the SC Forestry Commission, clear the area around the fire, and keep enough people and equipment to prevent it
The location of the burning must be a sufficient distance but not less than one-thousand (1000) feet from public roadways and all residential, commercial, and industrial sites not a part of the contiguous property on which the burning is conducted.
Full Breakdown
Unlike wildfire-code states, South Carolina imposes no fixed defensible-space clearance distance around homes. Property owners clearing brush most often burn it, which triggers SC Code 48-35-10: before setting fire in or near woodlands, grasslands, or brush you must notify the SC Forestry Commission, clear the ground around the site, have adequate personnel and equipment on hand, and make sure the fire is under control before leaving. Land-clearing or right-of-way burns in non-residential areas must be at least 1,000 feet from roadways and off-site structures and burned only between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. under Regulation 61-62.2. Greenville County itself sets no yard-by-yard clearance rule; check any HOA covenants.
Violations & Fines
An escaped brush fire, or burning without required notification or precautions under SC Code 48-35-10, is unlawful and can make you liable for suppression costs and damages; DES may also assess air-quality penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Greenville County require me to clear brush around my house?
What precautions does the state require before burning brush?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Greenville County
Compare Greenville County to another location·View the South Carolina fire regulations overview
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