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Doraville council adopts open‑burning ordinance, adds explicit ban on leaf burning
Summary
After attorney briefing, the council voted to waive the first reading and adopt an ordinance regulating open burning and explicitly amended it to ban leaf burning; police and code enforcement supported adopting standard EPD‑based rules.
Doraville’s City Council adopted an amended open‑burning ordinance on Nov. 12 that sets rules for when and where outdoor fires are allowed and adds an explicit prohibition on leaf burning.
City Attorney Cecil McClendon described the draft ordinance as aligned with common metro‑area rules and Georgia EPD guidance: it permits contained cooking fires, limited warming fires, and some land‑clearing burns under standards, while prohibiting burning that creates a nuisance or fire risk. Council members noted ambiguity about leaves, and Council Member Evans and others pushed to add an express ban on leaf burning to avoid misinterpretation.
The council moved and seconded a motion to waive the first reading and then approved a motion to adopt the ordinance with the added line expressly prohibiting open burning of leaves. McClendon said the police and code enforcement had reviewed the proposal and supported its rules for public safety and air quality.
Why it matters: The change clarifies acceptable outdoor burning and removes a common source of neighborhood complaints and air‑quality problems. The specific leaf‑burning prohibition removes a frequent source of confusion and enforcement disputes.
Next steps: The ordinance is in effect as adopted; staff will implement the code changes and outreach explaining prohibited activities and safe alternatives for yard‑waste disposal.
