(A) Burning on public property. Any form of burning is prohibited on public property, including the beach, beach accesses, parking areas, and protected lands (e.g., dunes and wetlands), except as follows:
(1) Gas grills may be used on the beach and in any areas designated by the Department of Public Safety for gas grills in the Folly River Park and other parks and playgrounds;
(2) Permanently mounted grills maybe used if they are provided in a city or county park; and
(3) Special events on public property may use outdoor fires for cooking in other than designated areas if permits are issued by the Resident Fire Marshal or Building Official.
(B) Burning on private property.
(1) Portable gas and charcoal grills, and portable outdoor fireplaces and devices, such as chimeneas, fire pits, fire rings, fire bowls, fire tables, gel burners and propane patio heaters, shall be used in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions. Property owners and residents are encouraged to have portable custom-made grills, smokers and other portable outdoor fire devices inspected by the Department of Public Safety.
(a) In buildings with three or more family dwellings, portable outdoor fireplaces shall not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material.
(b) In buildings with three or more family dwellings, charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices shall not be operated on combustible balconies or within ten feet of combustible construction, unless the building, balconies and decks are protected by an automatic sprinkler system.
(2) Property owners and residents are encouraged to have permanently constructed outdoor grills, fireplaces, ovens, barbeque pits and fire pits inspected by the Department of Public Safety.
(3) Small open fires like camp fires and oyster roast fires are permitted when used for the preparation of food for immediate consumption, but open fires where the pile size is more than three feet in diameter and more than two feet in height are prohibited.
(4) The placement and use of permanently constructed outdoor fireplaces, ovens, barbeque pits and fire pits, as well as camp fires and oyster roast fires, shall comply with the following criteria:
(a) If wood is used, it shall be clean untreated wood that is free of paint, stain, glue or other coating.
(b) Fires in approved containers shall be located more than 15 feet from any structure of combustible material, and camp fires and oyster roast fires shall be located at least 25 feet from any structure of combustible material.
(c) A fire shall not be located inside of a structure, tent, canopy, carport, gazebo or shed, or under or on a structure constructed of wood or other combustible material, such as a deck or a dock, except for a fire in a fireplace or oven that is built within a permitted construction project.
(5) On commercial properties, outdoor cooking with grills or other outdoor fires is prohibited unless a permit is issued by the Resident Fire Marshal and the Building Official.
(C) Burning of trash, waste and debris. Open burning of construction debris, garbage, hazardous waste, man-made trash and natural trash is prohibited.
(D) Burning for land clearing. Open burning for the purpose of land clearing, cleaning or right-of-way maintenance shall only be undertaken pursuant to a burn plan that complies with all applicable laws, and after a permit is issued by the Resident Fire Marshal or the Building Official. The permit shall be on site and accessible.
(E) Fire monitoring. All fires shall be constantly attended until extinguished, and fire prevention equipment, such as a fire extinguisher or a water hose connected to a water supply, shall be easily accessible.
(F) Sky lanterns, floating lanterns and similar devices. The release of sky lanterns, floating lanterns and similar devices is prohibited.
(Ord. 09-14, passed 11-11-14)
Cross-reference:
For definitions of construction debris, garbage, hazardous waste, man-made waste and natural trash, see § 50.01
Similar regulations, see International Fire Code §§ 307.4, exceptions 1 and 2, 307.4.3, 307.5, 308.1.4
Statutory reference:
Similar state law, see S.C. Code § 61-62.2(I)(B), (C) and (E)