Burning

Fire Prevention Bureau

Controlled Burn Permits

Questions?  Call 822-1119

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Summary of Revisions Made Effective November 1, 2005:

1.  Burn permits will now be good for one (1) week from date of issue.

2.  Residents must call in for approval to burn each day they wish to use their permit.

3.  Permits may not be renewed past one week from date of issue unless approved  by the Fire Marshal.

4.  It will still be necessary for all contractors to obtain or renew their permits through the administrative office.

5.  Burning will now be allowed during the hours of 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. 

(No burning allowed on Sundays.)

Residential Property:  A burn permit is required and may be obtained for use on private residential property by a homeowner (following the guidelines listed below) from the fire station which services the property address.  If you are unsure where your closest fire station is located, please call the phone number listed above for assistance.

Contractors:  A burn permit is required for burning on residential OR commercial property by contractorsALL permits are required to be issued and renewed through the Office of the Fire Marshal at the Administrative Office of the Hendersonville Fire Department located at 225 Freehill Road, Hendersonville, Tennessee. 

Guidelines

     A Controlled Burn Permit must be obtained from the Fire Prevention Bureau (being the Fire Marshal or his designee) for any open fire on private or commercial property within the corporate limits of the City.

     Controlled burning may be conducted without permits, as listed below, subject to specified limitations and provided further that no detriment to public health, any land, air or water traffic hazard is created and no public nuisance is or will be created from such burning.  This grant of exemption shall in no way relieve the person responsible for such burning from the consequences or the damages, injuries, or claims resulting from such burning, or of the responsibility of obtaining any other permits from any other agency.

     1.  Fire used for cooking food, ceremonial, or recreational purposes, including barbecues, and outdoor fireplaces.  This exception does not include commercial food preparation facilities and their operation.

     2.  Comfort heating on construction jobs provided the burning is in a suitable metal container and only untreated wood is burning.  This is not to be construed to allow the burning of painted or chemically treated wood for comfort heating.  Controlled burning for comfort heat is not allowed when the ambient temperature exceeds 40 degrees.

     All controlled burning shall be between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, or as authorized by the Fire Prevention Bureau.  There will be no burning on Sunday.

     1.  All vestiges of controlled burning shall be non-existent in the air no later than 7:00 p.m.

     2.  Materials may not be burned in piles exceeding 144 cubic feet (12 ft. x 12 ft.).

     3.  Under adverse weather conditions as determined by the Fire Marshal or his designee, all permits shall be invalid, and no open burning shall be allowed.  There will be no controlled burning when the wind velocity is above 10 M.P.H. as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

     Burning is limited to trees, limbs and brush.  No pallets may be burned.  Rubber tires and similar type materials are not to be used to start or burn within the fire.  Construction debris, including roofing materials, metal parts, painted materials, asbestos, treated wood, pesticides, herbicides, or any other classified hazardous material, including petroleum based products shall not be burned. 

     The permit shall only be valid for a period of one (1) week from the date of issue unless specified otherwise and the issue date shall appear on the permit form.  It is required that the holder of the permit contact the Fire Prevention Bureau each day before any controlled burning is begun to ascertain current weather conditions or to be advised of any changes deemed necessary ty the Office of the Fire Marshal since the issue date of the permit.  A valid complaint shall void said permit.   

     1.  The person doing the burning will have a garden hose or some type of water source available for fire suppression.  If no water source is available, it will be a requirement for some type of extinguishing agent to be present on site.  This may include portable fire extinguishers, shovels, rakes, or heavy machinery sufficient to move enough earth to control and suppress fire.  At no time will the controlled burn be left unattended.  Such person shall not be more than 50 feet (15.2 m) from any controlled burn.

     2.  No person shall kindle or maintain any controlled burn or authorize any such fire to be kindled or maintained on any private land unless the location is not less than 50 feet (15.2 m) from any structure and adequate provision is made to prevent fire from spreading within 50 feet (15.2 m) of any structure.

     Any permit holder who shall violate any of the provisions of the permit, may be subject to the following:

     1.  First offense may consist of a verbal warning from an engine company or responding unit;

     2.  Second offense may consist of a written warning from the Fire Prevention Bureau;

     3.  Third offense may consist of a City warrant being issued.

     At no time will this schedule preclude the Fire Chief or his designee from obtaining a City warrant on the first offense based on the serious nature of the offense.  The imposition of a penalty for any violation shall not excuse the violation nor shall the violation be permitted to continue.  Each day that the violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.  Any permit holder who violates these provisions may have any future burning permits denied, and may be subject to further restrictions.

     The person obtaining the permit and affixing his or her signature shall be known as the permit holder and has agreed to abide by all the provisions of the permit.  It shall be the sole responsibility of the permit holder to ensure all provisions of the permit are complied with, regardless of who is maintaining the controlled burn.

 

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