Richland County, SC Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Richland County, SC, also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance, set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Key Facts
- Residential zones
- Open burning prohibited
- Rural zones
- Allowed, 75 ft from structures/lines
- Land-clearing rule
- Follow DES Reg. 61-62.2 / 61-62.4
- Ozone-season ban
- April 1 to October 30
- Override
- State burn bans supersede
Summary
Richland County Code Sec. 10-2 prohibits open burning of leaves and yard trimmings on private residences in residential zoning districts. In rural districts it is allowed only if the fire is at least 75 feet from any structure, road, or property line.
Open burning of leaves, tree branches and yard trimmings on the premises of private residences shall be permitted within 'rural' zoning districts, provided that any fire must be located not less than 75 feet from any structure, road, or property line and adequate provision has been made to prevent the fire from spreading.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-24: This supplement is current through Ordinance No. 033-25HR).
Full Breakdown
Richland County directly regulates open burning. Sec. 10-2 prohibits open burning of leaves, tree branches, and yard trimmings on the premises of private residences in any residential zoning district. The same burning IS permitted in rural zoning districts, but only if the fire is located not less than 75 feet from any structure, road, or property line and adequate provision is made to prevent spread. Land-clearing and right-of-way burning (Sec. 10-3) must follow SC DES/DHEC Air Quality Regulations 61-62.2 and 61-62.4 and is prohibited during ozone season (April 1 through October 30). Statewide burn bans by the SC Forestry Commission override county permission.
Violations & Fines
Illegal open burning is a county ordinance violation and may also violate SC DES air-quality regulations, with fines and orders to extinguish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn leaves in my Richland County backyard?
Does the state ever ban all outdoor burning?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richland County
How Richland County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Richland County to another location·View the South Carolina fire regulations overview
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