Charter Township of Genesee Burn Permit
Prohibited Burning
* Burning of refuse including but not limited to paper, cartons, boxes, plastic, furniture, building materials, wood pallets, and trash including but not limited to metals, tin cans and glass.
* Burning of garbage, including but not limited to any putrescible animal or vegetable waste resulting from handling, preparation of cooking or consumption of food.
* Burning of yard waste, including leaves, grass clippings, and wastes produced from landscaping and garden activities.
* Burning in streets, ditches, and public right of way.
Permitted Burning
The person listed below is granted permission to have one open fire per day at the address listed below subject to the provisions of the Charter Township of Genesee Ordinance No 504 and Public Act 451 of 1994 and the rules promulgated there under.
Fires For Disposal of Limbs and Branches
* Fires for cleanup of limbs, branches and brush are permitted, provided they do not create or add to a hazardous or objectionable condition.
* Such fires shall be a minimum size for the intended purpose but shall not be greater than six (6) feet in diameter and six (6) feet in height.
* Such fires shall not be started before sunrise and must be completely extinguished by sunset. Completely extinguished means that ashes are cold to the touch.
* Such fires shall be attended at all times by a person at least eighteen (18) years of age, who is in control and capable of extinguishing the fire. A garden hose should be available for this purpose.
* Such fires must be at 50 feet from any structure, including wood fences and wood decks.
* Flammable or combustible liquids may not be used to start such open fires, including but not limited to gasoline, kerosene of fuel oil.
* Atmospheric conditions must be favorable for the open fire. Fires should not be started in high wind or dry conditions.
Recreational Fires in Fire Pits and Patio Fireplaces
General Recreational Fire Rules
* Only clean wood products, or commercially produced fuel products may be burned. No
chemically treated wood, construction materials or pallet wood may be burned.
* Atmospheric conditions must be favorable for the open fire. Fires should not be stated
in high wind or dry conditions.
* Recreational fires may not be started before sunrise and must be completely extinguished
by midnight. Completely extinguished means that the ashes are cold to the touch.
* Flammable or combustible liquids may not be used to start such open fires, including but
not limited to gasoline, kerosene or fuel oil.
Fire Pits
* Fire Pits may not be larger than forty-eight (48) inches in diameter, and must be at least
eighteen (18) inches deep.
* The Fire Pit must have a non-combustible ring around the top made of stone, cement
blocks, landscaping blocks or a metal fire ring.
* Fire Pits must be at least twenty-five (25) feet from any structure, including wood fences
and wood decks.
* The material being burned cannot be more than eighteen (18) inches above the top of
the pit and may not extend past the sides of the pit. The fire must be fully contained within
the pit.
Patio Fireplaces
* Fires in Patio Fireplaces must be at least fifteen (15) feet from any structure, including wood fences and wood decks.
* Fires in Patio Fireplaces must be at least fifteen (15) feet from adjacent property lines.
Violation of the provisions of the Open Fires and Burning Ordinance may result in assessment of costs to the responsible party for the enforcement of the Ordinance. In addition, violation of the ordinance is a misdemeanor and may be up to ninety (90) days in jail and a five hundred ($500) dollar fine or both.