Small recreational fires are allowed. Fuel area cannot exceed 3ft diameter by 2ft in height. Burn only dry, clean, natural materials……no trash or rubbish, tires, oil or construction waste. Prior to burning:
- Verify green burn conditions.
- Keep open fires 25 feet away from structures or combustible materials.
- Fires contained in an improved barbecue pit or portable outdoor fireplace require a minimum of 15 feet of clearance from structures or combustible materials.
- Have a method of extinguishing readily available.
- Fires must be constantly attended until fully extinguished.
- “Offensive, Objectionable, or Nuisance” fires are no longer required to be extinguished unless the fire is causing a hazardous situation. If all burning requirements are met and the fire is not causing a hazardous situation, the fire department does not have the authority to extinguish the fire.
- Citizens will not use the fire department to resolve neighborhood disputes regarding smoke emissions. Such situations are civil matters rather than unlawful acts subject to the penalties prescribed in Section 109 of the 2012 International Fire Code.
Residential Open Burning (residential burning of clean yard waste, grass clippings, weeds, tree trimmings, etc.)
Salt Lake County: Residential open burning is not allowed in Salt Lake County.
Utah County: Residential open burning is allowed by permit during the following open burn windows: March 30 to May 30 and September 15 to October 30. Permits are $25 and are good through the end of the burn window.
Residential Burn Permits are issued by the Prevention Bureau under the following criteria:
- Residential property must be (1) acre or larger.
- Burn Permit Application must be completed online with the Utah Department of Air Quality.
- $25 permit fee must be paid to UFA online.
- Requires a site safety inspection. Permit will be issued by the UFA station crew following the site inspection.
- Permit holder must verify “green burn” conditions prior to burning.
- Permit holder must contact dispatch at (801) 794-3970 with name, address and time of burn.
Agricultural Burning:
Agricultural burning is allowed without a permit in both Salt Lake and Utah Counties. Burning is limited to agricultural and horticultural operations. Burning of ditch banks, fence lines, pruning, field stubble and controlled heating to prevent the freezing of crops, etc.
- A minimum of five contiguous acres of land used for agricultural or horticultural operation is required.
- Land is actively devoted to an agricultural use and is managed in such a way as to be profitable.
- Operation must meet the annual “per acre” production requirements for Salt Lake County.
- Must verify green burn conditions.
- Must contact dispatch at (801) 794-3970 with name, address and time of burn prior to starting the burn operation in Utah County.
