Open Burning - Air Pollution Control

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 Palm Beach County Health Department. A written approval must be obtained from the Palm Beach County Health Department.

For agricultural open burning (i.e. nursery maintenance burns, pasture clearing) inquiries should be directed to the Florida Forest Service or phone 1-800-435-7352.

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 the Palm Beach County Health Department with the appropriate fee.

2. An inspector will then visit the site to determine compliance with the applicable regulations.

3. If conditions are satisfactory the Palm Beach County Health Department 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 the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County Air Pollution Control Program Office at (561) 837-5900

• The appropriate fire department shall be contacted on a daily basis after 9:00 AM to obtain authorization for burning.

• Since August 1, 1991, backyard burning has not been allowed in Palm Beach County to reduce yard trash.

• Back yard burning is defined as burning to remove vegetative matter resulting from yard maintenance, including tree an shrub trimmings, grass clippings, palm frond's, pine needles, trees and tree stumps, or any other routine property clean-up activities.

• The burning of any household paper products to reduce garbage, or any construction debris from a construction site including plywood, roofing materials or any other processed materials, is strictly prohibited in all situations.

Open Burning Forms

• PBC Open Burning Ordinance

• Application for Fire departments requesting to burn a building/structure for training purposes - 62-256-7005a.pdf (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.pdf (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.pdf (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.pdf

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 Street
P.O. Box 29
West Palm Beach, Florida 33402-0029