Spartanburg County, SC Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Spartanburg County, SC, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Recreational fire
- Allowed
- Distance from structures
- 25 feet
- Bonfire distance
- 50 feet + permit
- Attendance
- Until fully out
- Extinguisher
- 4-A rated or water
Summary
Small backyard recreational fires are allowed. State law requires clearing a firebreak, keeping equipment ready and staying with the fire until it is safe. County code keeps recreational fires 25 feet from structures and 50 feet for larger bonfires.
Citizens burning residential yard debris must 1) limit their fires to vegetative material like leaves, limbs and branches; 2) clear a firebreak around the burning site; 3) have the right equipment available to keep the fire under control; and 4) stay with the fire until it is completely safe.
Full Breakdown
Recreational backyard fires are legal in unincorporated Spartanburg County. Under county code Section 10-81 (adopting IFC 307), a recreational fire must be at least 25 feet from any structure with a fuel area no bigger than 3 feet across and 2 feet high; bonfires need prior approval from the Fire Marshal's Office plus a burn permit and must sit 50 feet from structures. All fires must be constantly attended until fully extinguished, with a 4-A extinguisher, water or dirt on hand. Yard-debris burns also require SC Forestry Commission notification.
Violations & Fines
Leaving a fire unattended or exceeding size/distance limits violates Section 10-81; the county Fire Marshal may cite and hold you liable for any escaped fire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a backyard campfire?
Do I need a permit for a bonfire?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spartanburg County
How Spartanburg County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Spartanburg County to another location·View the South Carolina fire regulations overview
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