Burn Permit Required for Open Burning
Apply for a burn permit
A permit is required to be issued to any person wishing to engage in open burning on their property within Service Area One of the Petersburg Borough. The holder of this permit agrees to read, understand, and follow the provisions of this permit. If you have questions regarding the provisions of this permit should contact the Fire Department office at (907)772–3355 between the hours of 7:00 am and 5:00 pm. Permit holders are responsible for all consequences that result from their open burning.
- Open burning is allowed within the Petersburg Borough pursuant to Chapter 9.24 of the Municipal Code. Open burning means the burning of material which results in the products of combustion being emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or flue.
- Open Burning is prohibited in the business district and the petroleum district.
- Open Burning is prohibited during an area-wide burn ban.
- All open burning must be burned out or extinguished before sundown, this includes burn barrels.
- Open burning shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished, and the attendant must have a sufficient water supply available to extinguish the open burn.
- Open burning which creates an unsafe condition is not allowed. Open burning which creates a danger to public health or safety is not allowed. Any open burning which produces obnoxious odors, smoke or debris that impinges on surrounding structures, or causes discomfort to nearby residents, may be considered a nuisance and shall be extinguished.
Burn piles 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high or less must be no closer than 20 feet to any structure.
Burn piles 3 feet in diameter by 2 feet high up to 10 feet in diameter and 10 feet high must be no closer than 50 feet to any structure.
Burn piles larger than 10 feet in diameter and 10 feet high require a special permit after an onsite inspection has been completed. Permission and guidelines will be at the inspector’s discretion.
All open burning sites must be clear of any overhead obstructions such as utility wires, trees, or tree limbs.
Demolition and construction debris may be burned, provided that all of the provisions in the municipal code and this permit are followed.
No person may cause or allow the open burning of the following items:
- Asphalt
- Rubber
- Plastic
- Tar
- Wire insulation
- Petroleum products
- Petroleum treated products
- Petroleum-based products
- Treated lumber
- Oily waste
- Oily clean up materials
- Organic garbage
- Animal carcasses
- Automobile parts
- Putrescible garbage
- Any other materials that in such a way produce black smoke
Burn barrels are exempt from this permit provided that the barrel is no closer than 20 feet to any structure, is clear of any overhead obstructions, has a screen covering the top, and that the attendant follows all of the provisions in Chapter 9.24 of the Municipal Code and this burn permit.
When complaints regarding open burning are received by the fire department or the Police Department dispatch, the Fire Department will be sent out to investigate the complaint. Upon investigation, if the Fire Department finds the open burn to be unsafe, a nuisance, or in violation of the municipal code, the attendant may be asked to extinguish the open burn.
If the Fire Department investigates a complaint and finds that the open burn is in violation of the Petersburg municipal code, such as an unattended open burn, burning after sundown, or the burning of prohibited items, the Fire Department will extinguish the fire. In addition, the Fire Department or Police Department may issue a citation to the person responsible for the open burning offense. The fine schedule for open burning offenses are a written warning for the first offense, a $50 fine for the second offense, a $250 fine for the third offense, and a mandatory court appearance for the fourth and subsequent offenses.
Note: Submitting this form acknowledges that you are aware of and will adhere to all applicable rules and ordinances as contained in this document and in Chapter 9.24 of the Municipal code referenced above. Please print and keep a copy of this form for your records.
