Rock Hill, SC Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Three layers of authority govern outdoor burning in Rock Hill. (1) SC Open Burning Regulation - SC Reg 61-62.2 (Prohibition of Open Burning) is the state air-quality rule, administered by SC DES (the agency that absorbed DHEC's environmental programs in 2024) under the authority of the SC Pollution Control Act at S.C. Code Title 48 Chapter 1. The default rule is that open burning is prohibited. SC Reg 61-62.2 provides several exceptions including residential yard-debris burning and recreational fires. (2) SC Forestry Commission - under S.C. Code Title 48 Chapter 35 (Forestry; Forest Fires), the SC Forestry Commission has statewide wildfire-control authority and requires notification before any outdoor burning in unincorporated areas. SC Forestry Commission also has authority under S.C. Code Section 48-35-30 to issue statewide or county-level burn bans during dry conditions, which override the general residential-burning exception. (3) City of Rock Hill - City Code Chapter 16 (Fire Prevention and Protection) incorporates the 2018 IFC (as adopted by the SC Building Codes Council under SC Reg 8-200 series), and IFC Section 307 governs open burning. The Rock Hill Fire Marshal may issue operational permits and may further restrict burning. Allowed in Rock Hill: (a) residential burning of leaves, tree branches, and yard trimmings ORIGINATING ON THE PREMISES of the private residence and burned ON THOSE PREMISES, under SC Reg 61-62.2(D); (b) recreational fires under IFC Section 307.4 (3-ft x 2-ft, 25-foot setback, seasoned firewood only, attended); (c) cooking on a barbecue grill; (d) public displays and pyrotechnics with proper state and local permits. Prohibited everywhere: burning household garbage; burning rubber, tires, plastics, asphalt shingles, or other non-vegetative materials; burning during a SC Forestry Commission burn ban; burning during ozone season for construction debris (April 1 to October 30 under SC Reg 61-62.2); burning within 500 feet of an occupied structure for construction or commercial waste. Notification to the SC Forestry Commission (1-800-705-8612) before yard-debris burning is required in unincorporated areas and is a best practice within city limits.