Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division, Air Protection Branch

Contacts
Jim Kelly (404)363-7131

District Office Locations and Contact Information

Georgia’s open burning rule does not specify what you cannot burn, but instead, it specifies what you can burn. Click here for a list of those types of open burning that are legal in the state of Georgia. Please note that the burning of garbage or lumber, even in a burn barrel is illegal. The purpose of the State open burning rule is for public safety and air quality benefits. All open burning in the State of Georgia is prohibited with the exception of the 13 types of burn activities listed. There are several counties that have additional restrictions, for air quality concerns, for the summer months of May through October. To see if you are affected by this restriction, view the Summer Burn Ban page. Any type of open burning, also know as outdoor burning, in the state of Georgia will require a permit, with the exception of acceptable agricultural burning. To obtain a permit, simply call 1-877 OK2BURN or obtain one online at: http://www.gatrees.org/OnlinePermits/. The online burn permit website is provided by the Georgia Forestry Commission, which provides the permits, and will also alert you of any addition local burn restrictions.

INTERACTIVE MAP: To find all the open burning rules that apply to your county,
please click on your county on the map or use the dropdown list below to choose your county.