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Whitfield County adopts outdoor-burning ordinance amid public support
Summary
On May 11, 2026 the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 to add Article IX, "Outdoor Burning," to Chapter 7.5 of the county code to regulate certain burning operations in unincorporated areas. Supporters at the meeting cited air-quality benefits and asked the county to track impacts.
The Whitfield County Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 on May 11 to amend Chapter 7.5 of the Whitfield County Code of Ordinances by adding a new Article IX, "Outdoor Burning," establishing regulations for certain burning operations in unincorporated Whitfield County.
Chief Finance Officer Debbie Godfrey presented earlier financial items, and during public comment Chantelle Kirk told the board she supported the proposed ordinance, calling it "an important step towards healthier air in Whitfield County." Commissioner Barry W. Robbins moved the amendment and Commissioner John Thomas seconded; the motion carried unanimously.
The measure updates county land-use regulations to restrict and define when outdoor burning is permitted in unincorporated areas. County staff did not state an effective date during the meeting; the board approved the ordinance as presented and directed staff to incorporate the new article into the code.
Why it matters: outdoor burning rules can affect neighbors' air quality and enforcement workload for local code and public-safety staff. Supporters at the meeting framed the ordinance as a preventive public-health step; the board did not take additional regulatory steps (such as immediately ordering monitoring) at this session.
The board also approved a separate zoning-text amendment updating the county's reference to the Georgia Department of Public Health rules for transient merchants and approved two alcohol-beverage license applications at the same meeting. The board will publish formal ordinance language and next steps in forthcoming county materials.
