Rockdale County, GA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Rockdale County, GA, 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
- Summer Burn Ban
- May 1 through September 30, every year
- First violation
- Written notice only
- Second violation
- $250.00 citation
- Third+ violation
- Up to $1,000.00 and/or 60 days jail
- Unpermitted land clearing
- $500.00 first-violation fine
- Enforcer
- Rockdale County Fire Rescue
Summary
Unincorporated Rockdale County bans outdoor burning under the state Environmental Protection Division's Summer Burn Ban every year from May 1 through September 30. Outside that window, violations still draw escalating fines starting at $250.00 and rising to $1,000.00 per violation plus up to 60 days in jail.
(d)The Environmental Protection Division's (EPD) Summer Burn Ban is in effect for Rockdale County, GA from May 1 through September 30 each year. ... The general penalties and fines shall be listed and updated yearly on the pamphlet. The minimum general penalties will be as follows: (1)First violation: Advised of corrective actions, written notice.(2)Second violation: Citation issued and a fine of $250.00 assessed.(3)Third violation any subsequent violations: Citation issued and a fine of up to $1,000.00 assessed per violation and/or up to 60 days in jail.(4)Commercial land clearing without a burning permit: $500.00 for first violation (at the discretion of the fire marshal.)
Full Breakdown
Rockdale County Code § 46-26 states its purpose is to protect public health, safety and air quality relative to outdoor burning, and applies to all outdoor burning within the county, supplementing rather than replacing stricter state Environmental Protection Division rules. The section adopts the EPD's Summer Burn Ban, in effect every year from May 1 through September 30. 00 per violation, up to 60 days in jail, or both. 00 fine for a first violation, at the fire marshal's discretion. § 16-7-63, which makes damage to one's own or another's property from an out-of-control fire a misdemeanor.
Violations & Fines
Burning outdoors during the May 1-September 30 EPD Summer Burn Ban, or otherwise violating county burning rules, escalates from a written warning to a $250.00 citation to a fine of up to $1,000.00 and up to 60 days in jail for repeat violations. Commercial land clearing without a permit draws a separate $500.00 fine, and Fire Rescue enforces all of it in Rockdale County Magistrate Court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn yard debris in unincorporated Rockdale County in July?
What happens the first time I'm caught burning illegally in Rockdale County?
Does clearing commercial land without a burn permit cost more?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rockdale County
How Rockdale County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Rockdale County to another location·View the Georgia fire regulations overview
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