Sandy Springs, GA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Section 22-32(a) states that "[n]o person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit open burning in any area of the city" except as listed. The exceptions are: reasonable open burning to cook food for immediate consumption, though charcoal burners or open-flame cooking devices may not be used on combustible balconies or within ten feet of combustible construction on a multifamily structure; fires set to train the city's own firefighting personnel or to teach fire safety to industrial fire brigades or civilians who live or work in the city, conducted by city personnel; operation of open-flame devices such as candles, lanterns, tar kettles, blow torches, welding torches, and portable heaters where approved safety measures are used; and small warming fires meeting the barrel-size, fuel, age, and smoke conditions of subsection (a)(4).

Subsection (b) then imposes standards on any allowed burning: materials such as heavy oils, gasoline, asphaltic materials, plastic, and rubber-containing items may not be used to start or maintain a fire; all burning must occur on private property so it does not interfere with traffic on public streets or sidewalks; and no burning may violate restrictions imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency or the state environmental protection division. 00 fine and 90-day jail term for the code's general offense provision.