Alpharetta, GA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Section 20-8(a) of the Alpharetta Code of Ordinances makes it unlawful, except as otherwise provided by law or elsewhere in the Code, for anyone to cause, suffer, allow, or permit open burning of refuse, rubbish, brush, wood, trash, leaves, tree limbs, or other combustible materials anywhere in the city. Subsection (b) carves out six exceptions: cooking fires for immediate human consumption; campfires and recreational or ceremonial fires approved in advance by the fire department; training fires for private firefighting personnel approved by the fire chief under Department of Natural Resources guidelines; open-flame equipment such as tar kettles, blow torches, and portable heaters that comply with other laws; disposal burning of former explosives packaging under federal safety regulations; and fires in recreational fire pits as defined in the Unified Development Code, which need no advance approval, are not limited to cooking, but must be attended at all times, with smoke that enters a neighboring home through closed windows and doors treated as a nuisance that can draw an officer response and a warning or citation.

The fire chief or designee and the director of environmental services or designee enforce Sec. 20-8 and may issue citations. Subsection (c) sets a fine of not less than $50.00 nor more than $1,000.00 per offense, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense, and makes a violator that causes a fire department response also liable for the department's actual labor, equipment, and material costs.