Burn Permits

FIRE CODES, PREVENTION & INVESTIGATION SERVICES FOR SAN JUAN COUNTY

San Juan County
Fire Marshal’s Office

(360) 378-FIRE

Fire Code Inspection,
Prevention and Investigation

Residential Burn Permits

During the open burning season, permits are required for residential and commercial-size burn piles. Residential burns may be up to ten-feet in diameter.

Permits cost $15 and are valid from October through June. During the burning season, permits can be purchased here or in person from the headquarters fire stations on Orcas, San Juan, Lopez and Shaw Islands.

Commercial Burn Permits

Commercial permits are needed for larger burns. Heavy equipment - such as an excavator - is required to be on scene. Commercial permits cost $225 and are valid for 30 days.

Commercial permits are not available online because a site inspection is required prior to the issuance of a commercial burn permit.

During the open burning season, you can request a burn pile inspection by selecting "Request Inspection" on the menu bar near the top of this page.

Buy Residential Burn Permit

The open burning season is October 1th through June 30th.

Open Burning Information

Residential burn permits allow you to burn natural materials, such as tree limbs and brush clippings. Trash, plastics and finished wood may not be burned. The burn pile size cannot be more than ten feet in diameter. You must have a source of water present or some ready means to extinguish the fire. You must also have someone present, attending the fire at all times.

Recreational fires do not require a permit. A recreational fire may not be more than two feet in diameter, located within a six-foot diameter clear area.