Burn Permits

OPEN BURNING ORDINANCE

The Scottsboro City Council recently passed Ordinance 633 regulating open burning in the city limits.

FIRES THAT DO NOT REQUIRE A PERMIT

Fires for the cooking of food and fires in residential fire pits and fireplaces.

Campfires that are no less than 100 feet from the nearest structure.

Lawn debris and leaves may be burned under the following conditions:

·         A responsible adult resident/owner must be present;

·         Only one (1) 4ft x 4ft pile may be burned at any one time;

·         No stumps or whole trees;

·         Not closer than 100 feet to any structure;

·         A working garden hose or extinguisher present within 50 feet;

·         Must be between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., the fire must be extinguished by 6 p.m.

FIRES THAT DO REQUIRE A PERMIT

Fires for the purposes of clearing land for development or construction do require a permit. These fires may be permitted based on certain conditions. An air curtain destructor is required to be used over an approved pit and the site must be no less than 250 feet from the nearest structure. Only natural growth from the property is allowed to be burned and must be burned between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., with no material added to the pit after 3 p.m. on any day the permit is valid. A competent adult and extinguishing equipment must be on site at all times during active burning. Fire for agricultural purposes inside the city limits are also permitted by methods and means specially approved based on the situation.

Under the ordinance and state law, the Mayor of the Fire Chief has the authority to revoke any permit or suspend all burning based on local conditions. Additionally, the fire chief may impose additional controls to cover specific situations.

The ordinance goes into effect on April 6, 2022. Violation of the ordinance is punishable by a fine of $100 or 10 days imprisonment upon the first conviction and increases with subsequent convictions. Permits are available from the Fire Department at no cost if all conditions are met.