Open Burn Permit

Apply Online:  ePermit Center – Open Burn Permit 

Once logged in, select Apply, Permits and Open Burn Permit

Open Burning Permits can be granted in accordance with Maryland Department of the Environment Air Quality Regulations, COMAR 26.11.07, and Code of Harford County, Section 109.12. The fee to apply for an Open Burning Permit is $25 and will be required at the time of the application. 

The following requirements must be met prior to granting an Open Burning Permit:

1. Scaled Site Plan including distance from occupied structures, roadways, etc. All refuse burning must be done at a distance of at least five hundred (500) yards from any occupied structure,heavily traveled roadway or where people work and congregate.
2. Prohibited materials. Any materials which produce dense smoke when burned, including but not limited to tires, construction debris, hazardous materials, asphalt materials, plastics and automobile bodies or parts thereof, will not be burned. Burning permits are limited to brush.Logs in excess of 12″ in diameter and tree stumps in excess of 6″ in diameter are not permitted.
3. Prohibited areas. All types of open burning are prohibited within town or village limits,subdivision housing developments or such other densely populated areas as may be specified by the County Health Officer.
4. Household trash and garbage. Burning of household trash and garbage is prohibited in all areas where collection service is available.
5. No open burning is allowed during ozone days of June – August.
6. Burning is not allowed on windy or overcast days.
7. Burning must comply with Maryland Forest Service regulations. (see below)
8. Demolition by fire requires an open burning permit issued to the local fire dept. and a demolition permit to the property owner. Special conditions apply.
9. Burning permits are not required for recreational fires however smoke must not create a nuisance,health hazard, or unsafe condition.

The following conditions must be met after an open burn permit is issued:

1. Prior to burning and at the end of each day’s burning, notify Central Fire Headquarters at 410-638-3400
2. Burning shall be controlled in a manner to prevent creating a nuisance

A violation of any of these conditions will be cause for revoking this permit and may subject the permit holder to penalties as provided by law.

Maryland Forest Service Regulations 08.07.04

.02 Application

1. This regulation applies to activities in woodland and within 200 feet of woodland, or activities adjacent to or within an area where flammable materials, that could ignite and carry fire to woodland, are located.
2. These regulations do not apply inside the limits of incorporated towns.

.03 Open Air Burning

1. A person may not engage in open air burning except under the following conditions:

1. There is a natural or constructed fire break at least 10 feet wide completely around the material to be burned that is free of flammable materials;
2. Adequate personnel and equipment are present to prevent the fire from escaping;
3. At least one responsible person remains at the location of the fire until the last spark is out; and
4. Burning occurs between the hours of 4 p.m. and 12 midnight E.S.T., except when the ground is covered with snow the burning may occur at any time so long as all other requirements are met.