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Open  Burning

 

    To ensure that air pollution from open burning operations does not  negatively impact the human health, welfare, and the surrounding environment of  Palm Beach County, all open burning operations related to residential land  clearing and land clearing for commercial purposes are regulated by the Palm  Beach County Health Department. A written approval must be obtained from the  Palm Beach County Health Department.

For agricultural open burning (i.e.  nursery maintenance burns, pasture clearing) inquiries should be directed to the 

Division of Forestry
www.fl-dof.com/districts/everglades/
(561) 791-4725.

In order to obtain a burn permit the  following procedure applies:
 

• The applicant shall fill out the appropriate application and return it  either by person or by mail to the Palm Beach County Health Department with the  appropriate fee.
• An inspector will then visit the site to determine compliance with the  applicable regulations.
• If conditions are satisfactory the Palm Beach County Health Department will  issue a written approval.
• The applicant shall submit the letter of approval to the local fire  department which will then issue the burn permit.

If you have any  questions regarding the approval process, please call the

Palm Beach County Health Department
Air Pollution Control Program Office
 (561) 837-5900
 

    The appropriate  fire department shall be contacted on a daily basis after 9:00 AM to obtain  authorization for burning.

    Since August 1, 1991, backyard burning has not been allowed in Palm Beach County to reduce yard trash.

    Back yard burning  is defined as burning to remove vegetative matter resulting from yard  maintenance, including tree an shrub trimmings, grass clippings, palm frond's,  pine needles, trees and tree stumps, or any other routine property clean-up  activities.

    The burning of any household paper products to reduce  garbage, or any construction debris from a construction site including plywood,  roofing materials or any other processed materials, is strictly prohibited in  all situations.

Open Burning Forms

• 62_256_7005a.pdf  
  Application for: Fire departments requesting to burn a
  building/structure for training purposes.
   
• pbchd-ob_land_clearing.pdf 
  Application : is required for the initial clearing of
  vegetation in connection with building
  construction or initial clearing of vegetation
  to enhance property.
   
• pbchd-ob_residential.pdf 
  Application : is required for the initial clearing of
  vegetation on a parcel consisting of not more
  than two dwelling units.
   
• pbchd-ob_wavier.pdf 
  shall be submitted when an open burn  site fails to
  meet the required setbacks set forth in the applications.

Applications with the accompanying fee (see  applications) may be mailed or delivered to:

Palm Beach County Health  Department,
Environmental Health and Engineering,
Air Pollution Control Section, 
800 Clematis Street,
P.O. Box 29,
West Palm Beach,
Florida 33402-0029,
attention:  Open Burn Program.
 

If you have any problems or questions regarding yard  trash pick up, contact your trash collection vendor,
Palm Beach County Solid  Waste Authority
www.swa.org
Customer Service Hotline at
(561) 697-2700.
1-866-792-4636 (toll -free)

    Failure to  comply with open burning regulations can result in enforcement, permit  suspension/revocation, and criminal or civil penalties. Your cooperation and  compliance with Palm Beach County's Open Burning Policies are appreciated.