Open Burning and Permits for Brigham City and Perry

New Residential Open Burning Regulations

Open burning is a source of air pollution that is regulated by the Utah Division of Air Quality (DAQ). There are statewide rules in place that regulate open burning activities. Recent modifications to these rules change the open burn periods and include a statewide requirement to obtain a DAQ Online Open Burn Permit Application prior to burning.

The Utah Division of Air Quality requires the clearing index MUST be above 500. Click the link below to check the clearing index on the day you wish to burn. Brigham City is located within Airshed #4.

https://www.weather.gov/slc/ClearingIndex#tab-3

1. Residential burn permits are limited to yard waste and or natural vegetation waste. No burning of cardboard, wood, plastic, or any type of construction waste is permitted. Brigham City provides a combined compost/green waste/recycling facility located at 820 North Watery Lane, which is open to all Brigham City citizens. Use of this facility is strongly encouraged prior to burning.

Residential burn permits are only issued during the state’s open burn window. Open burn periods by the State of Utah are:

• Spring:   March 30 – May 30.
• Fall:     Tentative October 1st start date.

No burning shall be started before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. If there is not an open burn window or if the clearing index is forecast to be below 500, the program will not allow a person to complete the application.

• Any permitted burning must be at least 50’ from any structure or any other combustible material or items. (This includes other vegetation)
• The burn MUST be attended at all times until the fire is extinguished.
• The fire must be extinguished before dark.
• Sunday burning is not permitted.

If completing the open burn permit application online is not an option, a hard copy of the application may be completed and submitted by mail to the DAQ for electronic processing. To request a hard copy of the open burn permit application, contact the DAQ by phone at (801) 536-4000. Please note: it may take up to 14 days from the date of request to receive an open burn permit if a hard copy is submitted for processing.

Click this Link for a PERMIT; PERMIT/NOTIFY
Filling out the form and submitting it will serve as notification. There is no need to call and no need for the Fire Marshall's signature on the form.

2. Agriculture burning is regulated by Utah Administrative Rule R307-202, and Utah Code Annotated, (UCA) 11-7-1. Except for areas zoned as residential, agriculture burning must meet these requirements;

Provisions of Utah Administrative Rule R307-202 are not applicable to:

• Burning incident to horticultural or agricultural operations of:
  • Pruning’s from trees, bushes, and plants; and
  • Dead or diseased trees, bushes, and plants, including stubble.
  • Burning of weed growth along ditch banks for clearing these ditches for irrigation purposes.
  • Controlled heating of orchards or other crops during the frost season to lessen the chances of their being frozen so long as the emissions from this heating do not cause or contribute to an exceedance of any national ambient air quality standards and is consistent with the federally approved State Implementation Plan.
• The burn MUST be attended at all times until the fire is extinguished.
• The fire must be extinguished before dark.
• Sunday burning is not permitted.

As provided for in Utah Code 11-7-1

A permit will not be required for the burning of fence lines on cultivated lands, canals, or irrigation ditches, provided that the individual notifies the fire department of the approximate time that the burning will occur. Notification will take place by using the State Department of Air Quality link below.

• Agricultural permits shall be obtained by the State Department of Air Quality (DAQ), at this link, (Applicable during open burn window only). A copy of the issued permit is required to be available at the burn site. https://www.weather.gov/slc/ClearingIndex#tab-3
• The burn MUST be attended at all times until the fire is extinguished.
• The fire must be extinguished before dark.
• Sunday burning is not permitted.

Click this Link for a PERMIT; PERMIT/NOTIFY
Filling out the form and submitting it will serve as notification. There is no need to call and no need for the Fire Marshall's signature on the form.

3. Recreational Fires:

All commercially sold grills and freestanding outdoor fireplaces/pits must be used as recommended by the manufacturer.

Permits are not required for recreational fires; however, the following criteria must be met:

• The term Recreational fire is the burning of only clean, dry wood and/or charcoal; and when the total fuel area is less than 3 feet in diameter and less than 3 feet high.
• Recreational fires shall be located 25 feet away from all structures, combustible materials, and lot lines.
• Recreational fires are prohibited when the clearing index is below 500.
• A person knowledgeable in the use of fire extinguishing equipment shall constantly attend recreational fires until the fire has been completely extinguished.

NOTE: If the Fire Department responds to a complaint of smoke or the fire is out of control and the above criteria have not been met, fees may be assessed.