Burn Permits

The cost

Cost

• Free — there is no cost to apply for or obtain a burn permit.

reminders

Important reminders before you burn

• Always check your local ordinance for restrictions and allowed materials.

• Never leave a fire unattended.

• Keep water or a fire extinguisher nearby at all times.

• Do not burn on windy days.

• Ensure the fire is fully extinguished before leaving the area.

Ordinances

Ordinances & resources

Before burning, review the applicable ordinance for your location:

City of Coopersville - CHAPTER 1615 OUTDOOR AND OPEN BURNING ORDINANCE

To review the full city ordinance, click here.

1. Open burning of refuse, leaves, grass clippings is PROHIBITED.

2. An outdoor campfire does not require a permit provided that the fire complies with all other applicable provisions.

3. Open burning of trees, logs, brush, and stumps is permitted.

• Fire must be constantly attended and supervised by a competent person of at least 18 years of age. Any person utilizing or maintaining an outdoor fire shall be responsible for all fire suppression costs and any other liability resulting from damage caused by the fire.

• Fire must be located in the rear yard of the property, if applicable.

• Fire must be located at least 20 feet from the nearest building, which is NOT on the same property.

• Flames shall not exceed 6 feet in height.

Polkton Township - REGULATIONS OF OPEN BURNING

1. No person shall cause or permit any open burning of garbage or other combustible refuse or waste material unless such open burning is otherwise permitted by a provision of this Ordinance.

2. No person shall conduct a salvage operation by open burning. For the purpose of this ordinance, “salvage operation” means any activity engaged in with the intent to recover materials for use or sale as a result of the activity.

3. No person shall cause or permit burning for the clearing of land unless permitted by State law for agricultural purposes on an agriculturally zoned parcel.

4. No person shall cause or permit hazardous or smoke nuisance conditions by open burning.

5. Unless expressly exempted by this ordinance, no open burning may be conducted in the Township without a burning permit having been issued by the Township Supervisor, Clerk or Treasurer. Application for burning permits shall be on forms provided by the Township. The Township may impose reasonable terms and conditions upon any permit, as deemed appropriate, to protect the health, safety and welfare of Township residents and property from fire hazards.

6. All permits allowing open burning must be obtained during normal business hours at the Polkton Charter Township Office.

7. All permits allowing open burning shall be limited to a maximum five (5) consecutive days, unless otherwise limited by this Ordinance.

8. All permits allowing open burning shall limit burning to between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., unless a written time extension is specifically authorized by the Township Supervisor, Clerk or Treasurer.

9. A permit allowing open burning may be cancelled by the Township, in its sole discretion, when it is determined that weather conditions create unsafe conditions for open burning.

10. All open burning permitted pursuant to this Ordinance shall have an adequate fire line and shall be maintained by a sufficient force of personnel to control the fire. No open burning shall be left unattended.

11. A permit issued under this Ordinance does not allow the burning of material that has been collected and transported from one location or lot to another location or lot. The permit is effective only as to the burning of materials generated upon the same property to which the permit applies.

12. All requests for burning a structure must be preapproved by the Fire Chief or Assistant Fire Chief. An approval letter from the Fire Chief or Assistant Fire Chief must be submitted with the burn permit application, in order to obtain a burn permit from the Township for the structure.

13. NO PERMIT SHALL BE REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING:

1. Open fires set for recreational purposes, including campfires, provided that no smoke nuisance is created, and provided that the fire is enclosed within a pit or a fire retaining ring having an internal area measuring not more than nine (9) square feet.

2. Recognized trade devices used for heating by construction workers, provided that no smoke nuisance is created.

3. An open fire used for cooking food, provided that no smoke or other nuisance is created.

4. Burn barrels, provided that no smoke or other nuisance is created.

5. Fires set under the direction and control of the Coopersville/Polkton Fire Department, provided that the sole purpose of the fire is for firefighting training.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Q: Do I need a permit to have a recreational campfire?
A: Recreational fires do not require permits provided that no smoke nuisance is created, and provided that the fire is enclosed within a pit or a fire retaining ring.

Q: Am I allowed to burn the remnants of a demolished structure on my property?A: No, you may not burn a demolished structure for disposal purposes. This is considered to be “construction and demolition” waste and should be disposed of in a landfill that accepts construction and demolition waste.

Q: Am I allowed to dispose of waste from remodeling by open burning?
A: The open burning of waste generated as a result of a remodeling operation is not allowed. This is considered to be “construction and demolition” waste and should be disposed of in a landfill that accepts construction and demolition waste.

Q: Am I allowed to destroy a structure on my property by open burning?
A: No. You may not destroy a standing structure such as a barn or abandoned building by open burning, even if it is to be conducted on your own property. Air Quality rules specifically state that a structure may be burned for fire prevention training ONLY. This means that even the fire department is limited to open burning a structure for training purposes. A structure should not be intentionally burned for any other purpose.