Open Burning and Permits

The Health Department monitors and controls open burning under Maryland regulations that apply in Carroll and seven other counties.  Open burning is any fire where any material is burned in the open or a receptacle that isn’t a furnace, incinerator or other equipment connected to a stack or chimney.  Open burning usually requires a permit from the Health Department.  There is no charge for this service.  For a permit to burn to be issued, all of the following conditions must be met:

     1.  No practical alternative method for the disposal is available.

     2.  No hazardous condition, air pollution, or nuisance will be created.

    3.  The burn site is at least 500 yards from any occupied building or heavily  traveled public roadway (numbered state highway).

     4.  Other agencies' law will not be violated.

     5.  Materials which produce dense smoke will not be burned.

     6.  Material burned must have originated on the premises.

Exceptions to the distance requirements may be granted for active agricultural operations, prevention of a fire hazard that cannot be abated by other means and instructional exercises for fire fighters or industrial employees.  Recreational uses, salamanders, warming fires for outdoor workers, and leaves originating on the premises if the fire is at least 300 feet from the nearest occupied structure and does not create dense smoke do not require permits.  Burning of trash as a means of refuse disposal is prohibited.

Click here for a Burning Permit Application

    

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