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5181 Northwest Parkway, Hilliard, Ohio 43026
(614) 876-7694

Open Burning Standards

Open BurnOPEN BURNING STANDARDS FOR NORWICH TOWNSHIP, BROWN TOWNSHIP, AND THE CITY OF HILLIARD

Open Burning Permits for recreational fires, campfires, outdoor fireplaces are not required. These open burning fires (i.e. recreational fires, campfires, outdoor fireplaces) must be fueled by clean seasoned firewood, natural gas, or its equivalent.  Total fuel areas shall be no larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. The location for these types of open burning shall not be less than 25 feet from any structure and provisions must be made to keep the fire from spreading.  Fires in approved containers (i.e. chimenea, fire bowls, and metal fire pits) shall not be less than 15 feet from any combustible structure or placed on any combustible structure.

Any open burns, other than the fires described in the previous paragraph, will require notification to the Ohio EPA, or receipt of written permission from the Ohio EPA, prior to performing the fire. To see if your fire requires notification or permission, please see the Ohio EPA's open burning rules. The Ohio EPA has the authority to enforce open burning laws. Illegal open burning can result in substantial penalties. If you have any questions, please contact the central district office of the Ohio EPA at (800) 686-2330 or (614) 728-3778 or visit their website at www.epa.ohio.gov/dapc/general/openburning.

A permit for open burning in Norwich Township, Brown Township, and the City of Hilliard shall be obtained for bonfires.  The area of these fires shall be no greater than 5 feet in diameter and 5 feet in height. These fires shall not be conducted within 50 feet of any structure and provisions shall be made to keep the fire from spreading. Click here for the Open Burning Permit Application. Email the completed application to Bureau@norwichtownship.org or return it in person to the Safety Services Building, located at 5181 Northwest Parkway, Hilliard, Ohio 43026, five days prior to the open burn. Permits are processed during normal business hours only (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday).  If an application is received less than five days prior to the day of the open burn, the applicant could be assessed a $10.00 fee. 

There are some open burns that are always forbidden. These include open burns that are offensive or objectionable due to smoke or odor emissions when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous. The Ohio EPA is authorized to order the permit holder or the fire department to extinguish any open burning that creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation.

Under Ohio law, certain materials can not be burned anywhere in the state at any time.  These materials are:
  • Residential waste within the City of Hilliard limits – such as tree trimmings, stumps, brush, weeds, leaves, grass, shrubbery, and material from crop or livestock production
  • Garbage – any wastes created in the process of handling, preparing, cooking, or consuming food
  • Materials containing rubber, grease, and asphalt or made from petroleum (i.e. tires, cars, auto parts), plastics, or plastic-coated wire
  • Dead animals
Other Burning Restrictions:
  • Open burning is not allowed when air pollution warnings or other restrictions by the Ohio EPA are in effect
  • Fires cannot obscure visibility for roadways, railroad tracks, or airways
  • No waste generated off-premises may be burned
Types of Fires and Descriptions:
  • Agricultural – Agricultural wastes and plant matter such as tree trimmings, stumps, brush, weeds, leaves, grass, shrubbery, and material from crop or livestock productions. This includes fence posts and scrap lumber but does not include buildings, land cleaning wastes, dead animals, or animal waste. Fires must be more than 1,000 feet from a neighbor’s inhabited building and the permit holder must notify Ohio EPA in advance.
  • Ceremonial – Wood stacked no larger than 5 feet in diameter and 5 feet in height. Duration no longer than three hours. Use clean, dry, seasoned firewood or equivalent and the permit holder must notify Ohio EPA in advance.
  • Recreational - Fires 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. Duration no longer than three hours.  Use clean, dry, seasoned firewood or equivalent and no permit is needed.