Summer Open Burning Ban

ATTENTION: May 1 – September 30 is the SUMMER OPEN BURNING BAN. 54 counties are included in this ban.

Open Burning Home
Official Rule (391-3-1-.02(5))
Press Release (April 27, 2018)

To obtain a burn permit: 1-877-OK2-BURN or http://www.gatrees.org/online-permits/index.cfm
Georgia EPD District Office Locations and Contact Information

In Atlanta, during the summer months, the ozone in the air we breathe can reach unhealthy levels. Ozone is formed when volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides react in the presence of sunlight. A major source of these pollutants is the burning of fuels and other combustible materials. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has identified open burning as a significant contributor of the pollutants that form ozone. Therefore, open burning in metro Atlanta and the surrounding areas must be restricted during the summer months. Beginning May 1st and ending September 30th, EPD’s Open Burning Ban will be enforced in 54 Georgia counties.

The Open Burning Ban prohibits citizens and businesses from burning yard and land-clearing debris. This rule is in addition to the year-round state ban on the burning of household garbage.

Counties included in the ban and the appropriate EPD District Office phone numbers follow:

  • Metro Atlanta District Office: 404-362-2671 Carroll, Clayton, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Henry, Rockdale, Spalding counties
  • Northeast District Office (Athens): 706-369-6376 Banks, Barrow, Butts, Clarke, Hall, Jackson, Jasper, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Putnam, Walton counties
  • Northeast District Office (Augusta): 706-792-7744 Columbia, Richmond counties
  • West Central District Office: 478-751-6612 Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Lamar, Monroe, Peach, Pike, Twiggs, Upson, Meriwether, Troup counties
  • Mountain District Office: 770-387-4900 Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Dawson, Floyd, Forsyth, Gordon, Haralson, Lumpkin, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Walker counties.

View the Summer Burn Ban Map.

What are the rules of the open burning ban?

Don’t burn anything from May 1 – September 30.

Some exceptions:

  • *Agricultural burning exemption
  • **Forestry “prescribed burning” exemption
  • Campfires or barbeques
  • Fire-fighting training exemption, provided appropriate permit is issued
  • Operation of open flame equipment exemption
  • Explosive disposal in accordance with U.S. Department of Labor Safety Regulations

*Does not include land use changes

**Not exempted in the 19 county metro Atlanta non-attainment area: Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Spaulding, Rockdale and Walton.

Failure to adhere to the burn ban during May – September may result in fines.