Lancaster County, SC Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)

Section 14-102 sets the location standard for open burning on residential property in unincorporated Lancaster County: leaves, tree branches or yard trimmings burned on the premises of a private residence must sit at least thirty-five feet from any structure and at least fifty feet from the property line, with adequate provision made to keep the fire from spreading within twenty-five feet of a structure. Section 14-103 layers on an attendance requirement that applies to any open burn, including a fire pit: a competent person must stay with the fire until it's out, with a garden hose connected to a water supply or other extinguishing equipment ready to use, and proper notice given to the state forester.

Section 14-104 then carves out the county's normal restriction on burning after dark, which otherwise requires smoke production to substantially end and bars adding fuel between official sunset and the next sunrise, for fires connected with cooking food for immediate consumption, campfires, and fires used solely for recreational purposes, ceremonial occasions, or human warmth. Section 14-107 backs that up, stating the article is not meant to restrict open burning connected with the preparation of food for immediate consumption, or campfires and fires used solely for recreational purposes, ceremonial occasions or human warmth that are done in a safe manner.

None of these sections waive the location or attendance rules, so a backyard fire pit still needs the 35-foot structure setback, the 50-foot property-line setback, and a person watching it with water on hand, even though it can burn past sunset.