Burn Permit Request

No Permit Needed

Grilling
Cooking Fires
Campfires (In a Pit/Ring)
360° Snow coverage around the fire

Permit Required

Nature in its original form such as:
Limbs
Brush
Stumps
Evergreen Needles
Grass
Leaves
Note: Land Clearing/Maintenance Burns require DNR Approval

Never Permitted

Construction Material
Automotive Parts
Demolition Debris
Oils/Chemicals
Tires

Laws, Safety and Alternatives

Laws

Persons may burn solid waste from a one or two family dwelling in an approved

home incinerator,as long as it is not prohibited by local ordinance and it does

not create a smoke or odor nuisance.

An approved container is one constructed of metal or masonry and a covering

device with openings no larger than ¾ inch. If not properly maintained to this

standard burning in an unapproved container requires a permit and solid waste

from a household may not be burned.

Remember, you can be held responsible for the cost of putting the fire out if it

escapes and for any property damage.

Safety

Keep vegetation clear in a 10 foot circle around your burn barrel.

Know the current fire and weather conditions. Do not burn on windy days or

during periods of dry weather.

Burning shortly after a rainfall or in the evenings is the safest.

Stay with your fire until it is out.

Alternatives

Burn barrels do not provide good combustion of household waste. The smoke

emitted consists of a number of chemicals that can be irritating or harmful.

Chemicals commonly detected in burn barrel smoke include dioxins, benzene,

styrene, formaldehyde, furans, PCBs, lead, mercury, and arsenic.

Consider recycling as an alternative to burning your household's solid waste.

Composting yard waste in your back yard is an inexpensive way to turn leaves

and grass clippings into compost that can be used to enhance garden soil or for

mulch in landscaping.

For more information go to:

Review the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's