Fayette County, GA Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)

Section 12-24(1) exempts fires set 'for the recreational purpose of cooking food for immediate human consumption' from the general permit requirement of § 12-23, which otherwise requires a residential or commercial permit before any open burning in the county. and completely burned out; it must sit on private property clear of any public street or sidewalk; it must be located at least 50 feet from any structure, or farther if another minimum distance in the chapter requires it; and it must be constantly attended by a competent person at least 18 years old while burning.

The exemption also does not override § 12-33's blanket, county-wide ban on open burning during May through September, so a recreational fire pit is barred outright during those five months just like any permitted burn. The fire marshal retains authority under § 12-30 to restrict or ban recreational fires at a specific address if they threaten public health or safety.