DeKalb County is not designated a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) high-risk area. Standard Georgia Forestry Commission open-burning permits and air quality rules apply. No defensible space ordinance in effect.
DeKalb County's urban/suburban character places it outside Georgia's high-risk wildland-urban interface zones. GFC (Georgia Forestry Commission) statewide wildfire risk mapping does not identify DeKalb census areas as high-risk WUI. As a result, DeKalb has not adopted defensible space requirements comparable to western states or certain rural Georgia counties. Open burning regulations apply: during the May-September Atlanta non-attainment zone burn ban (GAEPD Rule 391-3-1-.02(5)), open burning is prohibited in DeKalb. During October-April, limited open burning may occur with a GFC burn permit (free, online at GaTrees.org or 1-877-OK2-BURN) on days when atmospheric conditions permit. GFC-issued burn bans during drought conditions override permits. New construction must meet Georgia State Minimum Standard Fire Code including fire-resistant roofing materials in certain applications, but WUI-specific construction standards are not required.
Open burning during non-attainment season: GAEPD fines up to $25,000/day. Burning without GFC permit: $100-$500 + fire suppression costs. Violating burn ban: citation plus liability for spread.
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See how Decatur's wildfire zones rules stack up against other locations.
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