How Georgia's Burn Permit System Works
Georgia's burn permit system is managed entirely by the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC), which operates under the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The permit requirement comes from Georgia Code § 12-6-89, which makes it unlawful to set fire to any forest, woodland, brush, or other land without first obtaining a permit.
The system operates in real time. When you request a permit — online or by phone — the GFC's system checks current weather conditions, fire danger level, and local ban status for your county before issuing. If conditions are unfavorable, the permit is denied for that day. This is why you request a new permit each day you plan to burn, not in advance.
There is a second layer in counties under the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) jurisdiction. Certain burn types in the 27 high-population counties (those with populations over 65,000 per the 2010 Census) are subject to seasonal restrictions from May 1 through September 30 to protect air quality during ozone season. The GFC permit does not override EPD restrictions — you must comply with both.
"Georgians who want to burn outdoor debris piles must always get a burn permit. They're easy to secure online when local weather conditions are favorable." — Georgia Forestry Commission
How to Get a Georgia Burn Permit: Step-by-Step
Getting your permit takes under 5 minutes. You have two options: online or phone. Both are free.
Option 1: Online at GaTrees.org (Fastest)
- Go to GaTrees.org — the official Georgia Forestry Commission website. Look for the "Burn Permit" section on the homepage, or go directly to the permits portal.
- Enter your county — Select your county from the dropdown. The system automatically checks fire danger and any active burn bans for your area.
- Review conditions — The system displays current fire danger level (Low / Moderate / High / Very High / Extreme). If fire danger is Very High or Extreme, permits will not be issued.
- Accept the permit terms — Agree to follow safe burning rules: wind under 15 mph, burn after 10 AM, stay on-site, extinguish before dark.
- Receive your permit number — You'll get a permit number immediately. Write it down or screenshot it. This number is your legal authorization to burn that day.
- Verify county-level rules — If you're in one of the 27 EPD-restricted counties, double-check what burn types are allowed during your season. See the county list below.
Option 2: Phone — 1-877-OK2-BURN
Call 1-877-652-2876 (toll-free) any time of day. An automated system will ask for your county and provide the same permit number as the online system. If you prefer to speak with someone, GFC district offices are available during business hours.
Legal Burning Hours in Georgia
Even with a valid permit, Georgia law sets specific time windows when burning is allowed:
- Start time: You may begin burning no earlier than 1 hour after sunrise (approximately 7–8 AM depending on season)
- End time: All fires must be extinguished by 1 hour before sunset or before you leave the site — whichever comes first
- Never burn overnight — leaving a fire unattended is both illegal and a leading cause of wildfires
- Wind limit: Do not begin or continue burning if wind speed exceeds 15 mph
The GFC can revoke your permit at any time if conditions change. If conditions deteriorate after you start burning — high wind, low humidity, rising fire danger — you must extinguish immediately.
What You Can and Cannot Burn in Georgia
Georgia law specifies 13 authorized types of open burning. For most homeowners, the relevant categories are:
Legal to Burn (with permit)
- Leaves, brush, yard trimmings, and natural vegetation from your property
- Silvicultural (forestry) debris from timber operations
- Agricultural waste: crop residue, orchard prunings, other farm debris
- Storm debris: downed trees and natural material from weather events
- Land-clearing vegetative debris (with additional rules — see below)
- Weed abatement burns for fire hazard reduction
- Prescribed burns for wildlife habitat management
Never Legal to Burn in Georgia (no permit covers this)
- Household garbage or trash of any kind
- Construction debris, treated lumber, pallets with chemical treatments
- Tires, rubber, or synthetic materials
- Plastics of any kind
- Asphalt shingles or roofing materials
- Petroleum products or hazardous materials
The 27 EPD-Restricted Counties
The following counties have populations over 65,000 and are subject to summer air quality restrictions from May 1 through September 30. During this period, three burn types are prohibited in these counties even with a valid GFC permit:
- Storm debris burns
- Weed abatement burns
- Land-clearing and construction debris burns
Leaf burning, campfires, silvicultural burns, and agricultural burns remain allowed year-round in these counties (permit required). The 27 restricted counties include all major metro areas:
| County | Major City | Summer Restriction Window |
|---|---|---|
| Fulton | Atlanta | May 1 – Sep 30 |
| DeKalb | Decatur | May 1 – Sep 30 |
| Gwinnett | Lawrenceville | May 1 – Sep 30 |
| Cobb | Marietta | May 1 – Sep 30 |
| Clayton | Jonesboro | May 1 – Sep 30 |
| Cherokee | Canton | May 1 – Sep 30 |
| Henry | McDonough | May 1 – Sep 30 |
| Forsyth | Cumming | May 1 – Sep 30 |
| Hall | Gainesville | May 1 – Sep 30 |
| Richmond | Augusta | May 1 – Sep 30 |
| Muscogee | Columbus | May 1 – Sep 30 |
| Bibb | Macon | May 1 – Sep 30 |
| Clarke | Athens | May 1 – Sep 30 |
| Chatham | Savannah | May 1 – Sep 30 |
| + 13 additional counties — verify your county with the GFC or EPD website | ||
Outside these 27 counties, there are no seasonal restrictions beyond the GFC's daily fire-danger assessments. Rural Georgia homeowners can generally burn year-round when conditions allow and a permit is in hand.
Special Rules for Land-Clearing Burns
Burning vegetative debris from land clearing — clearing a lot, removing trees for construction, right-of-way maintenance — is one of the 13 authorized burn types but comes with additional rules beyond the standard residential burn:
- Land-clearing burns must be at least 500 feet from any occupied structure
- If the prevailing wind blows toward a public road, the pile must be at least 500 feet from the road
- Kerosene or diesel fuel may be used as a starter only — no other accelerants
- Air Curtain Destructors (ACDs) used for land clearing require a separate ACD permit from the GFC in addition to the regular burn permit
- Commercial land clearing may require coordination with the EPD for larger operations
Penalties for Burning Without a Permit
The GFC actively enforces the burn permit requirement. Forestry rangers patrol during high-fire-danger periods and respond to calls. Here is what you risk by burning without authorization:
Beyond fines, if an unpermitted fire escapes your property, you are personally liable for the full cost of fire suppression — including state and county firefighter overtime, equipment, and damage to neighboring property. In a drought year, suppression costs for a single escaped fire can exceed $50,000.
Safe Burning Practices: What Georgia Requires
Holding a valid permit does not eliminate your responsibility for fire safety. Georgia law and GFC guidance require the following during any permitted burn:
- Never leave a burning fire unattended — someone must be present at all times
- Have a charged garden hose, shovel, and water supply within immediate reach
- Keep burn piles to a manageable size — do not burn in conditions that limit your ability to contain it
- Do not start burning when wind speed exceeds 15 mph
- Check the spot weather forecast for your exact location before burning
- Extinguish completely — stir ash, wet thoroughly, feel for residual heat before leaving
- Watch the area the next day for rekindled hot spots, especially in stumps and root systems
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Campfires, outdoor cooking fires, and small recreational fires that burn only natural wood are exempt from Georgia's burn permit requirement. The permit requirement applies specifically to burning yard debris, brush piles, agricultural waste, and land-clearing material. A fire pit used for cooking or ambiance does not need a permit, but you still cannot burn prohibited materials in it.
Yes. The Georgia Forestry Commission issues burn permits at no charge, either online at GaTrees.org or by phone at 1-877-OK2-BURN (1-877-652-2876). There is no fee for residential burning permits. Commercial land-clearing permits may involve additional steps but are still free through the GFC.
A Georgia burn permit is valid for one calendar day — the day it is issued. If you want to burn the next day, you must request a new permit. The system checks fire danger and weather conditions each day before issuing, so there is no way to get a permit in advance for a future date.
It depends on the fire danger level in your county. During periods of Very High or Extreme fire danger, the GFC will not issue burn permits regardless of permit type. This is a safety measure, not a discretionary policy — if the system denies your permit due to fire danger, you cannot legally burn that day. Check GaTrees.org for current fire danger levels across all Georgia counties.
Burning without a permit is a misdemeanor under Georgia Code § 12-6-89. Fines start at $500 per violation. Under EPD air quality rules, fines can reach $25,000 per day. Additionally, if the fire escapes your property, you are personally liable for all suppression costs and property damage. Georgia Forestry Commission rangers actively patrol during high fire danger periods.