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Burn Permit FAQs
Open Burning Permits & Restrictions
Open Burning is Allowed annually from January 1 – December 31.

Burn Permit FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions about using this site.

How do I activate my burn permit?

To activate your burn permit, log into your account and hit the activate burn button on your approved burn permit. You must have an open burning permit in order to activate a burn. If you do not, apply for a permit here.

How do I know if it’s safe to burn?

The website homepage will be updated when burning is not allowed, and you will not be able to activate a permit if conditions are unsafe.

When can I apply for an open burning permit?

Open burning applications are open all year.

How do I know if my permit has been approved?

You will receive an email at the email address you entered at registration with your permit approval information.

I registered for the site, but I don’t see my burn permit. Why not?

Registering for firepermits.com and applying for a burn permit are two separate actions. After you register for the site you will be directed to Apply for a Permit or visit your Dashboard.

I logged into my account but don’t see my burn permit.

It could be that you registered for the site, but did not apply for a permit, Visit the Get a Permit link to apply for your permit.

When I enter my email address I get an error saying that my email address has already been used.

If you get an error saying that your email address has already been used on the site, it means you’ve already registered for the site. Login here instead. You may need to reset your password.

How do I reset my password?

If you have tried to log in and receive an error that your password is invalid and you need to reset it, click on “Lost Your Password”. Follow the prompts and then check your email for a password reset link.

*Please note: The password reset link may bet filtered into your junk/spam folder.

Open Burning Permits & Restrictions

Northfield Township has adopted The International Fire Code in its entirety. The International Fire Code requires burn permits to be obtained for any burning of yard waste, limbs, leaves, and bonfires. Learn when and where open burning is allowed, and how to do it safely.

Open Burning is Allowed annually from January 1 – December 31.

Burning Requirements

A “Campfire” means a small outdoor fire intended for recreation or cooking but not including a fire intended for disposal of waste, wood or refuse. These recreational fires do not need a burning permit.

  • Recreational fires must be in an approved fire pit or debris burner constructed of metal or masonry and shall be no larger than 3 feet in diameter and not less than 25 feet from any building.
  • Any burning that does not fall into this category shall be considered “Open Burning” and shall require a burning permit.

An “Open burning” means kindling or maintaining a fire where the products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or a chimney. This includes burning in a burn barrel.

What Can I Burn?

You are allowed to burn:

  • Trees, logs, brush, stumps, and leaves (but not from commercial or industrial land clearing)

You may NOT burn:

  • Tires
  • Grass
  • Construction materials or demolition debris
  • Household trash
  • Refuse means any waste material, garbage, animal carcasses, and trash or household materials except trees, logs, brush, stumps, leaves, and other vegetative matter.

State fire wardens determine each day whether conditions are safe for open burning. Weather and air quality can change rapidly, especially in the spring, and fire departments can rescind permits when that happens.

Rules for Open Burning:
  • Open burning shall not create a visibility hazard on roadways, railroads or airfields. Open burning shall be conducted in conformance with all local and state fire protection regulations.
  • The burning shall not be offensive or objectionable due to smoke odor emissions when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous.
  • Open burning shall only be conducted at a location at least fifty (50) feet from the nearest building and ten (10) feet from any property line. The size of the fire shall not exceed six feet by six feet (6 x 6) in size.
  • Open burning shall only be conducted during daylight hours (except for campfires).
  • The open burning shall not be used for the disposal of construction materials.
  • The open burning shall have a constant attendant eighteen (18) years of age until the fire is extinguished and is cold.
  • A garden hose or other approved fire extinguishing equipment shall be readily available for use for total control of the fire.
  • No materials may be burned upon any street, curb, gutter or sidewalk or on the ice of a lake, pond, stream or waterbody.
  • The bonfire shall not be ignited by anything other than a small quantity of paper.
  • Open burning shall be conducted only on the property on which the materials were generated. The burn permit must be requested by a property owner.