Online Burn Permit Request

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Open Burning Ordinance General Reference Information

  • All open burning shall be conducted in a safe, nuisance free manner with a permit issued by the Chesterfield Fire Department.
  • The open burning of brush, tree stumps, branches, yard clippings, leaves and grass clippings may be allowed between Apr. 1 – May 21 and from Oct. 1 to Nov. 22 of each year after first having secured a permit. Burning shall only be conducted during daylight hours and shall be completely extinguished prior to sunset.
  • Campfires shall not require permits but must not be larger than 4 feet wide x 4 feet deep x 4 feet tall.
  • Burning for heating, construction, outside maintenance activities or small (clean) wood fires confined to a metal container utilized by licensed contractors is permitted.
  • Fires must be a minimum of 50 feet from the nearest building.
  • Open burning shall be constantly attended and supervised by a competent person of at least eighteen (18) years of age.
  • If wind speeds exceed 15mph, please call to confirm that open burning is still allowed – even if you have been issued a burn permit.

Materials That Cannot Be Burned:

  • Construction and demolition materials.
  • Hazardous substances including but not limited to batteries, household chemicals, pesticides, used oil, gasoline, paints, varnishes and solvents.
  • Furniture and appliances.
  • Any plastic materials including but not limited to nylon, PVC, ABS, polystyrene or urethane foam, and synthetic fabrics, plastic films and plastic containers.
  • Treated or painted wood including but not limited to plywood, composite wood products or other wood products that are painted, varnished or treated with preservatives.

Prohibited Burn Locations:

  • No materials may be burned in or upon any street, curb, gutter, sidewalk or ditch.
  • There shall be no open burning or campfires within one thousand (1,000) feet of any school while school is in session.
  • No open burning is allowed within 1400 feet of the Village of New Haven or the City of New Baltimore.
  • Open Burning must not create a health hazard or a visibility hazard on roadways, railways, or airfields.

All permit holders shall be fully responsible for containing such open burning and shall assume any and all civil and/or criminal liabilities which may result from a failure to contain such fire.

Violation & Penalties

Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction, be subject to shall be punished by a fine and costs of prosecution, or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each act of violation and every day upon which any such violation shall occur shall constitute a new and separate offense.

Any person who ignites an open fire causing the township fire department or any other fire department to respond to an alarm shall reimburse those departments for all costs and charges incurred as a consequence thereof; and civil proceedings against the person may be instituted to recover such costs and expenses.

Assistance Completing Forms
& Questions

Residents served by the Chesterfield Township Fire Department having questions or needing assistance in filling out forms should call the Chesterfield Township Fire Department at 586-725-2233.

Recent amendments to the Chesterfield Township Ordinance in regard to Open Burning can be found here: https://www.ecode360.com/documents/CH3504/public/496416504.pdf

 

If burning violates any of the rules above, your permit to burn may be revoked by the Fire Chief or his designee until such a time as you can demonstrate compliance with these rules.

Permits are only valid for the date requested on your permit. Subsequent burning without a permit is a violation of these rules.

By completing the following form, I request authorization to start or cause to be started a fire upon land under my control at the specified address.

Burn Permit Request Form

First Name



Last Name



Street Address



ZIP Code



Are you a resident of Chesterfield Township?



Home Phone



Cell Phone



Email Address



Select the date you plan to burn:



Has your ability to obtain a burn permit ever been denied or restricted in the past?
 Yes No




If you have been denied a burn permit in the past, what was the reason?


Your burn shall encompass an area of (estimated sq. ft.):


The fuels burn shall consist of:
 Leaves Grass Clippings Ground Clearing Vegetative Debris Small Branches Dried Firewood Other Permitted Vegetative Matter




Additional Comments:




As a permittee I certify:

  • That I understand and acknowledge that this permit can be cancelled at any time by the Fire Department:
    1. If weather conditions dictate
    2. If a burn ban is issued by the Fire Chief or by order of the Governor
    3. If the permittee fails to comply with the open burning rules
  • I will take reasonable steps to control the fire at all times and will ensure it is completely extinguished before leaving the fire site.
  • Should my fire become dangerous or get out of my control, I know I am to contact local emergency services by dialing 911.
  • I am familiar with all rules and regulations pertaining to my burning project. This includes local laws/regulations which may not be addressed on this website.
  • If burning for more than one day and conditions are dry, I will check my email for any notice of burning restrictions.

    • By pressing the "Submit" button below, you are agreeing to abide by the rules dictated on this page and to comply with all laws and regulations, pertaining to open burning. An email confirming approval of your permit will be sent to the email address you have provided. It is recommended that you print a copy of the permit and have it with you when burning.




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