Do I Need a Permit to Burn Yard Waste?
Do I need a burn authorization (burn permit)?
Yes, you may need a burn authorization depending on your location and other parameters.
Activities That Require a Burn Authorization
- Agricultural burning
- Silvicultural burning
- Land clearing
- Pile burning
- Acreage burning
- Large pile burns (greater than 8′ in diameter)
Activities That Do Not Require a Burn Authorization
Yard waste may be burned without prior authorization ONLY if the following guidelines apply:
- Yard waste includes leaves, shrub trimmings, grass clippings, brush and palm fronds. Land clearing or tree cutting debris or household paper products are NOT CONSIDERED yard waste.
- You have checked with your local fire department or Florida Forest Service to ensure there are no statewide bans on open burning.
- You meet the set-backs as required: 25 feet from forests, 50 feet from paved public roads, 25 feet from your house and 150 feet from other occupied buildings.
- Fire is contained in a non-combustible container or in a pile less than 8′ in diameter and on the ground which has been cleared of combustible material.
- Fire is started after 9:00 a.m. EST and extinguished one hour prior to sunset.
- Adequate fire extinguishing equipment is available at all times.
- Fire is attended at all times.
- Smoke is not a hazard or nuisance.
Cooking Fires
If not contained in a portable or fixed grill, the fire must meet these requirements:
- Area must be cleared to bare soil 2′ greater than the cooking area.
- Cooking area can be no larger than 4′ in diameter, 4′ in height and must be contained by blocks or grates or other similar non-combustible material on as lease 3 sides.
- Occupied structures and tress shall be greater than 10′ away.
- Adequate extinguishing equipment (garden hose) must be present.
Who do I call for a burn authorization?
The Florida Forest Service has jurisdiction to issue burn authorizations. For burns not meeting the above requirements, a burn permit can be obtained from the Florida Forest Service by calling (239) 690-8001.
Questions?
Both North Collier Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service are available to answer your questions.
Florida Forest Service
(239) 690-8000 (Administration)
(239) 690-8001 (Report Wildfires or Request Burn Authorizations)
North Collier Fire Rescue
(239) 597-9227