Cherokee County, GA Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Cherokee County, GA, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Permit needed
- None for recreational fires
- Setback from structures
- 25 feet minimum
- Attendant distance
- Adult within 100 feet
- Hose nozzle proximity
- Within 25 feet of fire
- Bonfire (larger fire) setback
- 50 ft structure / 100 ft property line
Summary
No permit is needed for a recreational fire in unincorporated Cherokee County, but it must sit at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material and stay attended at all times by an adult within 100 feet.
Recreational fires. No permit required. Recreational fires shall not be located within 25 feet of a structure or other combustible material. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition... Fires must be attended. Any type of outdoor burning referenced in this article must be constantly attended by an adult who must be outdoors within 100 feet of the fire and watching the fire at all times.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 39 | Zoning: Supplement 35).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 28-110(a) allows recreational fires without a permit, provided safety precautions are followed. A recreational fire cannot be located within 25 feet of a structure or other combustible material, and any condition that could cause the fire to spread within that 25-foot radius must be eliminated before ignition. The same section's attended-fire rule, which applies to recreational fires along with the yard-waste fires it also covers, requires that any outdoor burning referenced in the article be constantly watched by an adult stationed outdoors within 100 feet of the fire.
A water-charged hose able to reach the fire, plus a rake, shovel or similar hand tool, must be on hand and ready, with the hose nozzle kept within 25 feet of the fire. If the fire escapes control or a nearby resident files a valid complaint prompting a fire department response, the fire must be extinguished immediately, leaving no smoldering coals. Sec. 28-106(q) defines a recreational fire in relation to a bonfire, which is a larger ceremonial log or clean-wood fire requiring a Fire Marshal's Office permit under Sec.
28-111(a); a bonfire must sit at least 50 feet from a structure and 100 feet from property lines, with a 50-foot clear area around it, and may not exceed 12 feet in length, width or height.
Violations & Fines
Failure to follow the recreational-fire safeguards that results in an uncontrolled fire, or a valid neighbor complaint prompting a fire department response, results in the fire being extinguished immediately under Sec. 28-110. The fire marshal enforces the article under Sec. 28-112, and the county marshal can issue a citation to magistrate's court; conviction carries the Sec. 1-12 penalty of up to $1,000.00, 60 days imprisonment, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a backyard fire pit in Cherokee County?
Does someone need to watch a recreational fire at all times?
What's the difference between a recreational fire and a bonfire under county rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cherokee County
How Cherokee County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Cherokee County to another location·View the Georgia fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.