Chapter 42 FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION
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Plain English: what this part covers
This short chapter sets up the fire department and spells out Ashburn's burning rules. You need a free permit from Ashburn Fire and Emergency Services to burn natural vegetation, the burn has to be well away from houses and streets, and you can never burn trash, tires, plastics or building materials.
- Burn permit: free (Sec. 42-64(a))
- Fire department standby during a burn: $50 per hour (Sec. 42-64(b))
- Unauthorized burning suppression fee: $500 (Sec. 42-64(c))
- Burn location: at least 500 feet from structures or public streets unless the fire chief allows otherwise (Sec. 43-63(a))
- Burn hours: from one hour after sunrise until one hour before sundown (Sec. 43-63(n))
- Contractor insurance: $100,000 minimum (Sec. 43-63(h))
Cross reference— Buildings and building regulations, ch. 18; civil emergencies, ch. 30; unauthorized use of fire hydrants, § 62-5.
State Law reference— Impersonating a public officer or employee, § 16-10-23; obstruction or hindering of firefighters, O.C.G.A. § 16-10-24.1; false fire alarms, O.C.G.A. § 16-10-27; fireworks, O.C.G.A. § 25-10-1 et seq.; Georgia Fire Sprinkler Act, O.C.G.A. § 25-11-1 et seq.; regulation of fire and other hazards to persons and property generally, O.C.G.A. § 25-2-1 et seq.; smoke detector requirements, O.C.G.A. § 25-2-40; local fire departments generally, O.C.G.A. § 25-3-1 et seq.; local fire safety standards authorized, O.C.G.A. § 25-3-4; Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Act, O.C.G.A. § 25-4-1 et seq.; mutual aid resource pacts, O.C.G.A. § 25-6-1 et seq.; Georgia Fire Academy Act, O.C.G.A. § 25-7-1 et seq.; following fire apparatus or emergency vehicle, O.C.G.A. § 40-6-247; crossing fire hose, O.C.G.A. § 40-6-248; The Uniform Act for the Application of Building and Fire Related Codes to Existing Buildings, O.C.G.A. § 8-2-200; statewide application of Standard Fire Prevention Code, O.C.G.A. § 8-2-25(a); fire escapes in buildings, O.C.G.A. § 8-2-50.
What's in here
Questions folks ask
Can I burn brush or yard debris on my property?
The city's burning ordinance allows burning of natural vegetation (trees, brush, stumps, grass, shrubs) for land clearing, but only with a city burn permit and under the listed conditions. Ask Ashburn Fire and Emergency Services before burning.
Can I burn household trash?
No. It's illegal to burn household garbage, plastics, tires, asphalt, construction materials, processed lumber, petroleum products, other manmade materials or hazardous waste.
How do I get a burn permit, and what does it cost?
Fill out the city's application form and turn it in to Ashburn Fire and Emergency Services. The permit is free. Only the property owner or a tenant with the owner's written permission can get one.
How far from my house or the road does a burn have to be?
At least 500 feet from structures or public streets, unless the fire chief allows otherwise. Open land burning also needs a plowed fire break, and the wind has to be blowing away from nearby homes.
What time of day can I burn?
No earlier than one hour after sunrise, and the fire must be out one hour before sundown. Someone has to watch the fire the whole time.
Can I get a burn permit during a drought?
No. Permits aren't issued during drought or during a Georgia Forestry Commission 'statewide no burn' advisory, and the fire department can stop any burn that doesn't meet the conditions.
What's the penalty for burning without a permit?
There's a $500 suppression fee for unauthorized burning. The municipal court can also impose a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to six months in jail.
Can a contractor burn on my land for me?
Only if the contractor is licensed and bonded and shows a certificate of insurance for at least $100,000 before the permit is issued. The property owner or tenant also needs insurance to cover damage if the fire spreads.
This is a plain-English guide, not legal advice. The official code is on Municode and at City Hall. Our copy is from April 30, 2026.
Online: https://jamesburgessleads.com/city-code/PTIICOOR_CH42FIPRPR
Official version: https://library.municode.com/GA/Ashburn/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH42FIPRPR
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