Open Burning and Recreational Fires

Open Burning, Recreational Fires and Portable Outdoor Fireplaces Brochure(PDF, 387KB)

Open Burning

There is no open burning of leaves or brush allowed in the City. Leaves may be placed in yard refuse bags or raked to the parkway for pickup by the City crews during schedule periods. Burning for land management is allowed by special permit on a case by case basis.

A permit is required for all Bon Fires. A permit application may be obtained from the Fire Department.

Title 9, Chapter 9.48.30 of the City of St. Charles Municipal Code

Title 12, Chapter 12.04.190 of the City of St. Charles Municipal Code

Recreational Fires & Portable Outdoor Fireplaces

The City’s Fire Prevention Code, Title 15, Chapter 15.28, allows recreational fires and the use of portable outdoor fireplaces without a permit, if these guidelines are followed:

 Portable outdoor fireplaces shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and shall be not be operated within 15 feet (3048 mm) of a structure or combustible material. *Exception: Portable outdoor fireplaces used at one and two family dwellings with due regard for the safety of a structure or combustible material.

 Recreational Fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.

 Use only clean, well seasoned wood, not leaves, compost, brush, construction debris, waste materials of any kind or holiday decorations/trees.

 The fire must be constantly attended until extinguished.

 Some method of fire extinguishment must be available for immediate use (ex. garden hose).

 Burning is prohibited when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous. Be alert to wind speed/direction and courteous to neighbors.