As outlined in the legally adopted 2015 International Fire Code. A person shall not kindle or maintain or authorize to be kindled or maintained any open burning unless a permit is obtained from the Fire Official prior to kindling a fire.
All municipal, county and state laws regarding air quality and toxic materials still apply. A signature on the bottom of this permit indicates that these conditions have been reviewed and the person performing the burning is aware of all applicable laws and will abide by them. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this permit shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine or imprisonment in accordance with municipal and/or county law.
Frequently Asked Questions
If the FAQ’s do not answer your questions, please feel free to e-mail the IFD Fire Marshal
Go to the nearest Irmo Fire District station and obtain a burn permit. On the burn permit is a more complete outline of the burn ordinance which you will be expected to agree with prior to getting your permit. Your burn permit will have an issue (start) date and an expiration date listed. Once you have the permit you can burn the material outlined in the ordinance within the time and dates specified.
Don’t forget to call the office of the SC Forestry Commission in the County that you will be burning to notify them.
Your permit can be cancelled or revoked under the following conditions:
1) A red flag alert is issued; your permit will be suspended.
2) A complaint of smoke having a negative effect on air quality because of weather or atmospheric conditions; your permit will be revoked.
3) A Fire Department member arriving to find that the conditions of the ordinance/permit are not being followed; your permit will be cancelled and you will be issued a summons.
Examples of materials that are against the law to burn
- Paint
- Cardboard
- Tires
- Household garbage
- Paper
- Construction debris
- Dead animals
- Demolition debris
- Metals
- Petroleum products (diesel fuel, motor oil)
- Treated wood
- Plastics
- Asphalt materials
In-Depth Burning Requirements
- No burning may take place within 75 feet of any structure including a fence.
- No burning shall take place within 75 feet of any lot line.
- Burning inside an approved burning container (55 gallon steel drum with mesh cover to prevents embers and sparks from rising in the heated air currents) shall not be closer than 75 feet from any structure, and not within 75 feet of any lot line.
- Any production of smoke shall stop between sunset and sunrise. Fires MUST BE fully extinguished.
- Fires shall be attended at all times by a competent person.
- A method of extinguishing the fire completely shall be available at all times while burning.
- Only materials allowed by law shall be burned such as yard debris. Dimensional lumber, plywood, chipboard, etc. is not considered to be natural vegetation and the burning of such materials is not permitted.
- All municipal, county and state criminal laws apply when burning results in damages to the property of others.
- A burn permit is not required for kindling a fire to cook food for immediate consumption, providing the fire does not exceed 3 feet in diameter.
- A cooking fire may only have wood or charcoal as fuel. Any other materials is considered a violation of this ordinance.
- The fire department has the right to enter the property and determine if the cooking fire has the appropriate materials burning.
- If all rules and regulations are being followed, and a complaint is lodged due to any reason, this permit will be revoked.