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Open Burning Laws

Open Burning in Painesville Township

 

Ohio law limits what and where you can burn openly.   Open burning is generally prohibited in Painesville Township with just a few exceptions, or unless a permit has been issued by the Ohio EPA through the Lake County Health Department.

Cooking and recreational fires are allowed without a permit or notification to the fire department. You may have a fire for cooking, warmth, pleasure, ceremonial or similar purposes without notification and/or permission from the Painesville Township Fire Department or the Ohio EPA.  These fires are used for the preparation of food or recreation. These fires are restricted to cooking appliances or a small fire pits for a limited duration, typically not more than a couple of hours. These fires should be kept in containers and with flames less than two feet high and should never be left unattended. BBQ grills and very small fires in fully enclosed or approved containers with a chimney may be placed within a reasonable distance to a structure (never closer than 15 feet), provided that it remains on a noncombustible surface and does not pose a fire risk.  Restrictions that apply to cooking and residential fires require that residents burn only clean, dry, seasoned firewood and that the fire is no larger than 3 feet in diameter and 3 feet high.  The fire may not be used for waste disposal.

By notifying the Lake County General Health District in advance, larger ceremonial fires can be set for limited periods of time.  These fires must burn only clean, dry, seasoned firewood and cannot used for waste disposal. The fire must be no larger than 5 feet in diameter and 5 feet high and burn no longer than 3 hours.

 

Occupational fires used for heating tar and hot work such as welding torches are permitted as are fires used for warmth for outdoor workers and strikers on picket duty.  These fires must use clean, seasoned firewood and be contained in a 55-gallon drum.

The open burning of plant matter such as tree trimmings, stumps, brush, weeds, grass, shrubbery and leaves are generally not permitted in Painesville Township. Painesville Township does have free yard waste drop off on Wednesdays and Saturdays as well seasonal curbside pick-up of leaves.  For a complete schedule of hours and dates of these services please visit the Painesville Township website.

 

For additional information on the Ohio EPA open burning laws or for inquiries into obtaining an open burning permit please visit the Lake County General Health District website or contact them at (440) 350-2543.

 

Ohio Open Burning Laws

 

Ohio Administrative Code 3745.19

Regarding Outdoor Burning

OAC 3745.19 is enforced by the Ohio EPA

EPA notification is required for many types of open burns in Ohio.

Call 614-644-2270 with questions or visit:

www.epa.ohio.gov/dapc/general/openburning.aspx

Contact Lake County Air Pollution Control: (440)350-2543.

Lake County Residential Open Burning Application

Lake County Commercial Open Burning Application

 

EPA Basics for Homeowners

Materials NEVER to be burned at any time or any place in Ohio:

  1. Food Waste
  2. Dead Animals
  3. Materials containing rubber, grease, asphalt, or made from petroleum.

Other Restrictions:

  1. Fires must be more than 1000 feet from neighbor’s inhabited building.
  2. No burning when air pollutions alert, warning or emergency is in effect.
  3. Fire/Smoke cannot obscure visibility on roadway, railway, or airfields.
  4. No waste generated off the premises may be burned.
  5. No burning within village or city limits or restricted areas.

Ohio Revised Code 1503.18

Regarding Kindled Fires

ORC 1503.18 is under the authority of the Ohio Division of Forestry.

This law prohibits outdoor open burning statewide in unincorporated areas during the months of March, April, May, October, and November between the hours of 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

This ban includes burning of yard waste, trash, and debris, even in a proper burn barrel.

During spring, wildfire danger is high before plants have turned green, and fall; fire danger is high due to abundant dry leaves and dead grass. Warm, windy weather in both seasons also contribute to elevated fire risk. Always be sure to use proper burn barrel when burning outdoors during legal hours.

Call ODNR Forestry at (877) 247-8733 with questions