Outdoor Fires & Burn Permits
Outdoor Fires
The Town of Spindale follows the most recently adopted North Carolina Fire Prevention Code and collaborates with the Forest Service in the pursuit of fire prevention. Recreational fires, portable outdoor fireplaces/fire pits, stationary outdoor fireplaces and stationary outdoor fire pits are regulated by the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code (Section 307) and DO NOT require an open-burning operational permit. Regardless of the necessity of a permit, fire safety is still the responsibility of anyone setting a fire.
Recreational Fires
Recreational fires are defined by the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code as “fires three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes.” Recreational fires are NOT considered open burning and do not require an open burning operational permit.
Recreational fires shall be at least 25 feet from a structure or combustible material.
Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.
Shall not be used to burn rubbish, yard waste, or burn material contained in an incinerator.
Outdoor fireplaces, barbecue grills, barbecue pits, or bonfires are not considered recreational fires
Portable Outdoor Fireplaces/Fire Pits
Portable outdoor fireplaces/fire pits are defined by the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code as “a portable, outdoor, solid-fuel-burning fireplace that may be constructed of steel, concrete, clay or other noncombustible material. A portable outdoor fireplace may be open in design or may be equipped with a small hearth opening and a short chimney or chimney opening in the top”. Portable outdoor fireplaces are NOT considered open burning and do not require an open burning operational permit.
Portable outdoor fireplaces shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Exception: Portable outdoor fireplaces used at one- and two-family dwellings.
Portable outdoor fireplaces shall not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material.
Exception: Portable outdoor fireplaces used at one- and two-family dwellings.
Shall not be used to burn rubbish or yard waste.
Open Burning
Open burning in the Town of Spindale is regulated by the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code and is prohibited unless an open-burning operational permit is issued at Spindale Town Hall.
The North Carolina Fire Prevention Code defines open burning as the burning of materials wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber.
For the purpose of this definition, a chamber shall be regarded as enclosed when, during the time combustion occurs, only apertures, ducts, stacks, flues or chimneys necessary to provide combustion air and permit the escape of exhaust gas are open.
Bonfires
Bonfires are defined by the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code as an outdoor fire utilized for ceremonial purposes. These are typically large fires in conjunction with a planned event such as a school prep rally or holiday event.
Bonfires ARE considered open burning and do require an open burning operational permit.
A bonfire shall not be conducted within 50 feet of a structure or combustible material and conditions, which could cause the fire to spread within 50 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.
Shall not be used to burn rubbish or yard waste.
Land Clearing
Outdoor burning for the purpose of land clearing IS considered open burning and DOES require an open burning operational permit.
Open burning for land clearing requires 1,000-feet separation to any dwelling or structure not on the property.
The permit fee for land clearing greater than 100 square feet is $100.
Land clearing projects may also require an Air Quality permit. It is the individuals responsibility to complete this process.
Burn Permits
Spindale residents may apply for a "Land Clearing" permit
Mon-Fri: 9:00am-4:00pm at Town Hall
Small brush limb & natural vegetation permits - no longer allowed
No. If public pickup service is provided, yard waste may not be burned." (Click here to learn more)
Town Land Clearing permits - $100
No burning permitted on Sundays or Holidays.
1. Permits do not release a property owner from liability.
2. The permit process is designed to acknowledge that the Fire & Police are aware of the location of your Land Clearing.
3. If your fire poses a threat to adjacent property, or becomes a nuisance due to smoke drift or wind direction, the fire department may have
you extinguish a permitted fire until these conditions improve.
4. It is unlawful to open burn without a permit or on non permitted days within the Spindale Town limits.
In the event your fire becomes dangerous, dial 911!
For more information, please visit Section 307 of the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code and Chapter 94 of the Spindale Town Code of Ordinances.
Small brush, leaves and limb pick up at the curbside is available
Residents that live in the Spindale Fire district but do not live in the town limits may use a county permit.
Online County Burn Permits are available online.
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