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Burning Permits
The following information is to help clarify some of the procedures and restrictions pertaining to the Open Burning Permit (PDF).
Application Process
If you should have any questions not answered above, please contact Clay Fire Territory at 574-272-2144 or the St. Joseph County Health Department - Environmental Division at 574-235-9721.
Application Process
- This is only an application for an open burning permit (PDF) and must be submitted 7 days prior to date of burn.
- Once you have returned the completed form to 1 of our 5 fire stations, a fire department representative will visit the proposed burn site.
- The application is then forwarded to the St. Joseph County Health Department for their approval.
- The total process from application to approval will take at least 2 days, not including mail delivery.
- Once the application has been approved and signed by the St. Joseph County Health Department, the Health Department will mail you the permit.
- Until you receive the permit, burning is not allowed.
- Once approved, the permit is good for the 2-week period which you listed on the application.
- All burning must take place between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- If a health-related complaint is received regarding your burning, the fire must be extinguished even though a permit has been issued.
- All burn piles must not be any larger than 3 feet high and 5 feet in diameter, and must be at least 25 feet away from other combustibles such as bushes, wood piles, or buildings.
- The burning site must be attended at all times.
- No stumps, grass clippings, leaves, finished lumber or other construction materials are to be burned with this permit.
- The open burning permits were designed for storm clean-up, not clearing a lot for construction.
If you should have any questions not answered above, please contact Clay Fire Territory at 574-272-2144 or the St. Joseph County Health Department - Environmental Division at 574-235-9721.