Burn Permits

Procedures and restrictions pertaining to this permit for open burning.

1. This is only an application for an open burning permit and must be submitted 7 days prior to the date of burn.  Once you have returned the completed form to one of our two fire stations, a fire department representative will visit the proposed burn site. The application is then forwarded to the St. Joseph County Health Department for their approval. The total process from application to approval will take at least two days, not including mail delivery.
2. Once the application has been approved and signed by the St. Joseph County Health Department, the Health Department will mail you the permit, until then burning is not allowed.
3. Once approved, the permit is good for the two-week period which you listed on the application.
4. All burning must take place between dawn and dusk.
5. If a health-related complaint is received regarding your burning, the fire must be extinguished even though a permit has been issued.
6. All burn piles must not be any larger than three feet high and five feet in diameter and be at least 25 feet away from other combustibles such as bushes, woodpiles, or buildings. The burning site must be attended at all times.
7. No stumps, grass clippings, finished lumber, or other construction materials are to be burned with this permit.
8. NO burning of leaves shall be permitted in the county under any circumstances. (per St. Joseph County ordinance 91.02)
9. The open burning permits were designed for storm clean-up not clearing a lot for construction.

If you should have any questions not answered above, please contact Penn Twp. Fire Department at 255-5075 or the St. Joseph County Health Department at 235-9721 (Environmental Division).

Click Here for the Burn Permit