Sandy Springs, GA Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Sandy Springs, GA, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Container size limit
- 55-gallon barrel or less
- Fuel allowed
- Untreated wood or lumber only
- Attendant age
- Over 17 years old
- Location
- Private property only
- Setback distance
- Not numerically specified in code
Summary
Sandy Springs allows a warming fire in a barrel of 55 gallons or less, or a commercially sold outdoor fireplace device, only if it burns untreated wood, produces no dense smoke or odors, and is attended by someone at least 17 years old, per Code section 22-32(a)(4).
(4)Warming fires in a barrel of 55-gallon capacity or less, or other commercially sold outdoor fireplace devices, provided that: a.The fire does not produce dense smoke or obnoxious odors; and b.The fire is attended by an individual over the age of 17 years. Untreated wood or lumber shall be the only material or substance allowed in the warming fire.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 24 | Development Code: Supplement 2 | Technical Manuals: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Section 22-32(a) generally bars open burning citywide, then carves out specific allowances. Item (4) covers recreational fire pits: "Warming fires in a barrel of 55-gallon capacity or less, or other commercially sold outdoor fireplace devices," are permitted provided the fire does not produce dense smoke or obnoxious odors and is attended by an individual over the age of 17. The same subsection limits fuel to untreated wood or lumber only, so treated lumber, pallets, or other construction debris may not be burned in a fire pit.
S. Environmental Protection Agency or the state environmental protection division. The code does not set a numeric setback distance from structures or property lines for a 55-gallon warming fire or fireplace device; the operative limits are the age of the attendant, the fuel type, and the smoke/odor and material standards above. A related provision, section 22-32(a)(1), separately restricts charcoal burners and open-flame cooking devices to no closer than ten feet from combustible construction, but only for multifamily residential balconies.
Violations & Fines
Open burning that does not meet the fire pit exception, or that violates the material and location standards of section 22-32(b), is enforced through the fire prevention code's general penalty in section 22-28: a citation from the fire department or police department, with conviction punishable under section 1-10, and each continuing day of violation treated as a separate offense that the owner must correct within 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a fire pit in my backyard in Sandy Springs?
Does Sandy Springs require a minimum distance between a fire pit and my house?
Can I burn scrap wood or pallets in my fire pit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sandy Springs
How Sandy Springs compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Sandy Springs to another location·View the Georgia fire regulations overview
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Fire Pits & Backyard Fires in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Fulton County handle fire pits & backyard fires.