Skip to main content

Open Burning

Permissible Burning & Non-Permissible Burning

Permissible Burning

When not prohibited by other laws or other officials having jurisdiction, and provided that a hazardous situation is not created, the following types of open burning are permissible without the necessity of securing a permit:

R307-202-6 Utah Administrative Code

  1. In devices for the primary purpose of preparing food, such as outdoor grills and fireplaces.
  2. Campfires and fires used solely for recreational purposes, where such fires are under control of a responsible person 18 years or older.
  3. In indoor fireplaces and residential solid fuel burning devices.

Requirements

Recreational Fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.

  1. Open burning, or recreational fires shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished. A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher with a minimum 4-A rating or other approved onsite fire extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose or water truck, shall be available for immediate utilization.
  2. Fire must not be larger than 3 feet in diameter.
  3. Burning of any material other than firewood, charcoal briquettes, propane or L.P. gas is prohibited.
  4. Pleasant Grove Fire Department, reserves the right to order fires be extinguished at any time.

Non-Permissible Burning

  • Burning of waste material is prohibited.
  • Burning weeds, grass, vines or other growth, is prohibited except during the permitted open burn season. (A Department of Air Quality issued burn permit is required)
  • Burning of accelerants such as gasoline, kerosene, lacquer thinner or other petroleum based products are prohibited.
  • Burning paper products of any kind is prohibited. Any material which may cause severe air pollution is prohibited.

Important Note: The Fire Code (Section 109 of the 2012 International Fire Code) states that “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. We ask that citizens 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 the Fire Code. However, if a fire is causing a hazadous situation, please notify the fire department.

Burn Permits

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued new rules for open burning beginning with the 2015 burn season.

Open burning is regulated by the Division of Air Quality (DAQ). There are statewide rules in place that regulate open burning activities to help minimize emissions and ensure that the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are met. Modifications to these rules change the open burn periods and include a statewide requirement to obtain a permit from the local fire department prior to burning.

Applicants that live in Pleasant Grove are required to complete the open burn permit application on the DAQ Website or here is the direct link to the form. After the application is completed and submitted, a copy of the application will be sent electronically to the Pleasant Grove Fire Department, now the permit is valid.

The Spring Residential Burn Season for Pleasant Grove City starts on March 30 and ends on May 30 and the Fall Residencial Burn Season is September 15 thru October 30. Currently there is no charge for Burn Permits.

Internet Application

Completing this form online is the easiest and fastest way to complete the open burn permit application. An electronic copy of the application is automatically submitted to the county or municipal fire authority upon completion.

Online Application

Telephone Application

An applicant can call the DAQ at 801-536-4000 and complete the open burn permit application process over the phone. A DAQ inspector will ask the applicant for the required information and complete the application in just a few minutes.

Application

A hard copy of the application may be completed and submitted by mail to DAQ for electronic processing. To request a hard copy of the open burn permit application, contact DAQ by phone at 801-536-4000.

*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.