Georgetown, KY Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Section 16-1, Regulation of open fires, sets the permit system. Its stated purpose is to provide for permits to burn suitable materials under safe conditions. Subsection (b) defines an open fire as the burning of any material that sends the products of combustion directly into the ambient air without passing through a chimney or stack, and it requires a permit from the local office of the fire marshal or the chief of the fire department or his designee before ignition. The permit lists the conditions under which the fire is started, maintained and extinguished, and the city charges a $50.00 open fire permit fee.

Subsection (c) sets twelve performance standards. No fire is started within 50 feet of any structure, a distance the permit issuing official can extend if the fire is upwind of the threatened structure, and none within 150 feet of any woodlands. The permit holder or person designated on the permit stays present from ignition until the fire is extinguished, and the permit stays on site until then. Number 1 or 2 diesel fuel and paper are the only permitted accelerants. The issuing official sets the size of the fire after weighing its content, location, weather conditions, immediate area, method of extinguishing, persons available at the site and their experience. No one commences burning before three hours after sunrise, and burning must be completed the same day, no later than three hours prior to sunset. Smoke cannot cross a road, street, drive or highway at a height that affects motorists' visibility, brush or other approved waste must be generated on the property where the permitted fire is requested, and all applicable natural resources cabinet regulations must be observed.

The prohibited-material list in (c)(12) covers household solid waste, tires, petroleum products, putrescible waste, hazardous waste, construction and demolition waste other than untreated wood, municipal solid waste, treated wood, furniture and carpeting, electrical wiring, appliances, animal carcasses, pesticides, aerosol cans, plastics and any material whose burning threatens public safety. Separately, § 28-4 makes it unlawful to burn any material so as to endanger surrounding property, or to make a bonfire or assist in doing so.