Burn Permits

While a Burn Permit is not required within the City Limits of Stevensville for most burning activity, a Permit is required in special circumstances outlined in the Municipal Code:

Sec. 16-81. - Bonfires.

(a) No person or governmental unit may build a bonfire or other fire which burns an existing structure or materials or any portion of such structure or materials. Authorized open fires shall be limited to garden materials, leaves, twigs, small tree branches and other similar yard debris which accumulates during one calendar year.

(b) Burning of materials from an existing structure or materials from a dismantled structure is prohibited.

(c) This restriction does not prohibit barbeque pits which are contained and enclosed yard/patio fire pits which are used for cooking and relaxation; provided, however, that no person shall burn debris or structural materials in such pits.

(Ord. of 9-28-2006, § 9.08.015)

Sec. 16-82. - Refuse burning.

No person, entity or government unit shall cause suffer, allow or permit a bonfire as defined in section 16-81. The following bonfires, open fires and contained fires, and no others, are allowed, as set forth herein:

(1) Bonfires.

a. A person, entity or government unit desiring for recreational purpose to build a bonfire which does not violate section 16-81 must obtain a written burn permit from the office of the town clerk. This applicant must submit a written request setting forth the time, reason for the bonfire, materials to be burned and controls to be in place to reduce exposure to personal and property injury. Such person or entity must provide proof of liability insurance to protect all third parties as well as the requesting entity.

b. The town clerk shall not issue a burn permit without the town council having first approved such permit after considering the written request in open meeting and after having received the recommendation of the town fire chief or deputy chief.

(2) Fires necessary for public welfare. A fire controlled by the appropriate public officials is allowed, only after approval of the town council in open meeting, when such fire is set or permission for such fire is given in the performance of the official duty of a public officer:

a. For the purpose of the elimination of a fire hazard which cannot be abated by any other means;

b. For the purpose of removing any hazardous material in an environmentally safe manner:

(4) Residential burning. Persons are allowed to set and maintain small fires for the sole purpose of individual burning of garden and yard debris during the periods from March 1 to April 30, and from October 1 to October 31. Such fires may be started during the hours from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Such fires shall not be set after 2:00 p.m. and the fires must be extinguished and not allowed to smolder past 5:30 p.m. The term "yard debris" does not include structural materials and building materials, or scraps therefrom.

(Ord. of 11-27-2006, § 7.10.010(a); Ord. of 9-28-2006; Ord. of 11-27-2006)

Sec. 16-83. - Restrictions on open burning.

No persons may burn any man-made materials, compost, animal droppings or dead animals. Open burnings may be suspended on certain days during the burning season because of high fire danger or poor smoke dispersion due to atmospheric conditions as decreed by the state air quality bureau. No fire may be set when wind or other conditions make it hazardous to burn, and enough help and firefighting equipment must be at the site to keep a fire under control.

(Code 1973, § 7.10.020)

If you live outside Stevensville City Limits in Ravalli County, you must obtain a Burn Permit HERE