Open Burning Laws

Open burning is the burning of unwanted materials such as:

• Brush
• Grass
• Leaves
• Paper
• Trees
• Other debris where the emissions are not going through a chimney or stack

Open burning can be dangerous if not taken care of properly. Here in North Myrtle Beach, we have a few laws pertaining to open burning. Listed is a quick guide to open burning here in North Myrtle Beach. Open Burning is prohibited except for the following:

• Fires for cooking of food for human consumption if:
  • At least 10 ft away from any commercial building
  • If it’s constantly attended
  • It’s contained in a device designed for that purpose (such as a grill)
• Fire for recreational purposes if:
  • If it is constantly attended until put out
  • It’s contained in a device designed for that purpose (such as a portable fire place)
  • Kept 20 ft away from any structure or vegetation
  • Only non treated lumber, clean wood, or vegetation is burned
• Fires set for the training of firefighters (if conducted within boundaries of the appropriate facility).
• Fires set for the purpose of backfiring, or using fire to help contain a wildfire within specific regulations.
• Fires set for the disposal of debris as a result of an officially declared emergency or disaster and follow specific regulations.
• Fires set for the disposal of trees and vegetation on land at least 20 acres or more when the removal of said vegetation is necessary for the creation of a roadbed and the right-of-way associated with the roadbed and follow specific regulations.