Revised Outdoor Burn Ordinance

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

In 2007, Lexington County, South Carolina revised its outdoor burn ordinance. The revised ordinance was adopted as a proactive step towards improving air quality. Lexington County is faced with the prospect of non-attainment with standards for particulate matter 10 microns in size or smaller (PM10). Both ground level ozone and PM10 can be dangerous to children, the elderly, and adults who work and are active outdoors. Outdoor burning is a contributor to PM10 and volatile organic compounds, a precursor to ground level ozone. Prior to the ordinance, Lexington County had the largest number of outdoor burns reported to the South Carolina Forestry Commission, making outdoor burning a significant contributor to pollution. The new ordinance prohibits burning of household yard debris to a distance of 75 feet from the property line and a structure which effectively limits burns in most subdivisions. The ordinance also prevents burns associated with land clearing during the ground level ozone season. The new ordinance has been extremely effective in reducing the number of reported burns in the County as is serving as a model for other areas of the state.