Open Burn Permits


What is Open Burning?
Open burning refers to burning materials outside and releasing smoke directly into the air without venting it through a chimney or enclosed chamber. Limiting open burning is meant to reduce the negative impacts of burning leaves, yard waste, and other landscape debris, especially in the most densely populated areas of the Township.
  • Burning is not allowed in the restricted area from September through November.
  • Open burning is only allowed in the restricted area on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month from December through August, with a permit.
  • Permits may be applied for up to three days before burning due to possible weather changes, such as high winds, that could make open burning unsafe.
Definitions
Recreational Fire: An outdoor fire or the burning of material other than rubbish, leaves, and yard clippings where the fire being burned is contained in an approved fire pit or ring.
Restricted Area: The portion of Cascade Charter Township generally located north of I-96 and west of Buttrick Ave, as delineated on the Township map. 
Yard clippings: Any leaves, grass clippings, weeds, vegetable, or other garden debris, but not shrubbery, brush, tree branches, or tree trimmings.
Approved fire pit or ring: A pit or ring no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet in diameter and constructed of noncombustible material.

Burn Rules
Burning leaves and yard clippings is not allowed within the Restricted Area.

Burning shrubbery, brush, tree branches, and tree trimmings (less than six inches in diameter) is allowed in the Restricted Area on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month from December 1 through August 31, if all of the following rules are followed:
  • A burn permit must be obtained from the Cascade Fire Department.
  • The property owner (or their agent) must assure the Fire Department that the fire will take place on their residential property and will remain on the premises, present at the fire, at all times.
  • The fire must be under constant supervision and control for the entire time it is burning and while smoke or flames are present.
  • Anyone supervising the fire must be at least 18 years old.
  • No smoke is allowed to be produced once the approved burning time period has ended.
  • Accelerants may not be used to start a fire. Prohibited accelerants include gasoline, diesel fuel, and any other flammable liquids.
  • The fire size may not exceed 10 feet by 10 feet on the ground.
  • Burning may only occur between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
  • Fires must be at least 25 feet away from any building or paved public right-of-way.
  • The fire may last no more than five hours.
  • These same rules apply to properties outside the Restricted Area, except that burning is allowed year-round, unless a burn ban is in effect.
  • No burning is allowed on Sundays during the months of September through November.
Recreational Fires
Recreational fires are allowed in both Restricted and Non-Restricted Areas of the Township, provided the following conditions are met:
  • Recreational fires may not exceed 3 feet by 3 feet on the ground.
  • Leaves and yard clippings may not be burned in recreational fires.
  • To reduce unnecessary fire responses, property owners are encouraged to notify the Fire Department before starting a recreational fire.
  • Recreational fires must be contained within an approved fire pit, fire ring, or outdoor fireplace.
    • If the fire is not contained in one of these, a burn permit must be obtained from the Fire Department before starting the fire.
Prohibited Materials
The following materials may never be burned:
  • Construction materials
  • Garbage
  • Plastic
  • Styrofoam
  • Skids
  • Chemically treated lumber
  • Synthetic material or other Hazardous Materials
  • Rubber or Rubber-Based Material (including, but not limited to, Tires)
Revocation of a Burn Permit
A burn permit may be revoked by the Fire Department after it has been issued if the burn is determined to be unsafe, including due to unfavorable weather conditions.

Exceptions
The following situations are exempt from the Open Burn Ordinance and permitting:
  • Fires allowed in Township parks where permitted under the Parks Ordinance
  • Fires used for firefighter training or other controlled burns approved by the Fire Chief
  • Burning of trees or timber cleared from a site for a housing development or home construction, provided the Fire Department inspects and approves all burn piles before burning
  • Following a natural disaster that causes widespread damage to trees or shrubs, the Fire Chief (or their designee), in consultation with the Township Manager, may temporarily waive certain open burning restrictions
Penalties
Anyone who violates this Ordinance is responsible for a municipal civil infraction and may be fined between $50 and $500, plus costs and other sanctions, for each violation.
Each day a violation continues is considered a separate offense.

Repeat Offenses (within one year):
  • First repeat offense: minimum $100 fine, plus costs
  • Second or subsequent repeat offenses: minimum $500 fine, plus costs
Anyone found responsible for violating the Open Burn Ordinance will have their burning privileges suspended for 60 days for all properties they own within Cascade Charter Township, unless the Fire Chief waives all or part of the suspension for good cause.