To ensure that air pollution from open burning operations does not negatively impact the human health, welfare, and the surrounding environment of Palm Beach County, all open burning operations related to residential land clearing and land clearing for commercial purposes are regulated by the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County (DOH-Palm Beach). A written approval must be obtained from DOH-Palm Beach.

For agricultural open burning (i.e. nursery maintenance burns, pasture clearing) inquiries should be directed to the Florida Forest Service.

In order to obtain a burn permit, the following procedure applies:

  1. The applicant shall fill out the appropriate application and return it either by person or by mail to DOH-Palm Beach with the appropriate fee.
  2. An inspector will then visit the site to determine compliance with the applicable regulations.
  3. If conditions are satisfactory, DOH-Palm Beach will issue a written approval.
  4. The applicant shall submit the letter of approval to the local fire department which will then issue the burn permit.

If you have any questions regarding the approval process, please call DOH-Palm Beach’s Air Pollution Control Program Office at 561-837-5900.

Open Burning Forms
  • PBC Open Burning Ordinance
  • Application for Fire departments requesting to burn a building/structure for training purposes – 62-256-7005a (Fire Departments)
  • Application is required for the initial clearing of vegetation in connection with building construction or initial clearing of vegetation to enhance property – pbchd-ob-land-clearing (Non-Residential)
  • Application is required for the initial clearing of vegetation on a parcel consisting of not more than two dwelling units – pbchd-ob-residential (Residential)
  • Statement Waiving Setback Requirement shall be submitted when an open burn site fails to meet the required setbacks set forth in the applications – pbchd-ob-wavier

Applications with the accompanying fee may be mailed or delivered to:

Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County
Environmental Health and Engineering
Air Pollution Control Program
Att: Open Burn Program
800 Clematis St.
P.O. Box 29
West Palm Beach, FL 33402-0029