Open Burning

Burn Permit

Due to new regulations, burn permits are no longer issued by the City of Cedar Hills or the Fire Department. Burn Permits are now available online through the State Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Residential Burn Permit Information 

The open burn policy was changed in 2013 to meet the revised standards of the State Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Recent modifications to these rules change the open burn periods and include a statewide requirement to obtain a permit from the local fire authority. The permit application process begins at DEQ’s website: air.utah.gov/OpenBurning/form/index.php.

Burn permits may be issued online between March 30 and May 30 and between September 15 and October 30.

Applicants statewide are required to complete the open burn permit application and receive an open burn permit prior to igniting an open burn. After the application is completed and submitted, a copy is sent electronically to the county or municipal fire authority having jurisdiction in the area where the open burning will take place. Though the application process is the same statewide, some county and municipal fire authorities require additional steps prior to issuing a valid open burn permit. Any additional steps required to validate a permit will be provided to the applicant upon completion of the open burn permit application.

The online open burn permit application program is tied to two things: First, it checks to see if there is an active open burn window, and second it checks the clearing index to see if it is forecast to be above 500. If there is not an open burn window or if the clearing index is forecast to be below 500, the program will not allow a person to complete the application. The clearing index is only forecast for a three-day period, so a person will not be allowed to complete an application more than three days in advance.

A permit applicant shall provide all information requested on the application. An open burn permit application is required for each separate burn. An open burn permit is valid only on the lands specified in the permit and is required to be onsite at the time of the burn. All materials to be burned must be clearly described and quantified in the application. Applicants must be aware of any and all local, state, and federal rules and regulations applicable to their area. Open burning may be prohibited in some areas of the state.

The open burn permit application can be completed online. Completing this form online is the easiest and fastest way to obtain an open burn permit. Upon completion, an electronic copy of the application is automatically submitted to the county or municipal fire authority.

Be sure to plan ahead. The entire permitting process could take 3-5 days to complete. If completing the open burn permit application online is not an option, a hard copy of the application may be completed and submitted by mail to the DEQ for electronic processing. To request a hard copy of the open burn permit application, contact the DEQ by phone at (801) 536-4000. Please note: It may take up to 14 days from the date of request to receive an open burn permit, if a hard copy is submitted for processing. Providing your e-mail address may speed up the process somewhat.