Outdoor burning in York County must be conducted in accordance with the County’s Nuisance Ordinance (Ordinance 56.68). This ordinance applies only to the unincorporated areas of the county. "Burning" is defined as: Combustion of any item or substance NOT associated with the internal heating of a home, building or structure, fireplaces, grills or internal combustion engines, or burning which constitues a nuisance or fire hazard to an adjoining property owner.
Key points of this ordinance are as follows:
· Outdoor burning may not be within 500 feet of a residence, occupied building, occupied housing unit, occupied modular or mobile home, or commercial or industrial building other than that of the owner or occupant of such premises.
· Outdoor burning may not be conducted on Ozone Action days.
· Outdoor burning may not be conducted at new commercial or non-residential lots.
· Outdoor burning may not be conducted at new residential developments containing more than five lots or exceeding more than five acres.
· Outdoor burning may only be started between the hours of 9:00 am and 3:00 pm and no combustible material may be added to the fire between 3:00 pm and 9:00 am of the next day.
· The following material may not be burned: Asphalt and asphaltic materials, paint, plastics, metals, treated wood, paper, petroleum products, demolition products, construction debris, household chemicals, household garbage, tires and tire waste and cardboard.
Outdoor burning exempt from this ordinance:
· Open burning of leaves, tree branches or yard trimmings originating on the premises of private residences and burned on those premises. (may not be within 500 feet of a residence, occupied building, occupied housing unit, occupied modular or mobile home, or commercial or industrial building other than that of the owner or occupancy of such premises. Outdoor burning may not be conducted on Ozone Action days).
· Open burning in connection with the preparation of food for the immediate consumption.
· Campfires and fires used solely for recreational purposes, ceremonial occasions or human warmth when conducted in a safe manner.
· Prescribed burning of forest lands for specific management practices.
· Fire purposely set for agricultural control of diseases, weeds, pests and for other specific agricultural purposes.
· Open burning of trees, brush, grass and other vegetable matter for game management purposes.
Please CLICK HERE for a copy of the entire ordinance.
Complaints about illegal outdoor burning should be made to the York County Sheriff’s Office (803) 628-3059 or to York County Zoning Code Enforcement at (803) 909-7200.
There is no permit required before conducting outdoor burning in York County. However, South Carolina law requires you to notify the South Carolina Forestry Commission prior to burning in the unincorporated areas of the county.
For yard debris burning only, you may contact the South Carolina Forestry Commission automated notification system at 1-800-517-9644. State law requires that you clear a firebreak around the burning site and have the right equipment available to keep the fire under control. You must also stay with the fire until it is completely safe.
For wildlife, agricultural or forestry burning, in addition to notifying the Forestry Commission, you must also follow the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) “Smoke Management Guidelines”. Notification to the Forestry Commission may be made to 1-800-777-3473.
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