No. Burning household trash is illegal statewide under South Carolina’s Pollution Control Act and DHEC regulations, with limited exceptions for agricultural or land-clearing burns requiring permits.
Key Regulations for Burning Trash in South Carolina
- Statewide Ban: South Carolina Code § 44-1-145 prohibits open burning of household garbage, including plastics, treated wood, and yard waste, unless exempted under DHEC Rule 61-62.1.
- Permit Requirements: Agricultural burns (e.g., crop residue) or land-clearing burns require a DHEC-issued burn permit, which mandates 500-foot buffer zones from structures and no-burn days during air quality advisories.
- Local Enforcement: Municipalities like Charleston and Greenville supplement state rules with ordinances banning all open burning within city limits, enforced by local fire departments and DHEC inspectors.
Violations incur fines up to $10,000 per day under § 44-1-145, with repeat offenders facing escalated penalties. DHEC’s 2026 compliance plan targets illegal burns in rural counties via satellite monitoring and community reporting hotlines. Residents must dispose of trash through licensed haulers or county landfills to avoid liability.