Burning Rules and Regulations: Areas Zoned Agricultural

REVISED FEBRUARY, 2020

DOMESTIC FIRES: (Burning of yard waste)
Download Burn Permit Application
  1. Domestic fires may be permitted in all areas of Benton Charter Township zoned A-I or A-2 any time during the calendar year between the house of sunrise and sunset. Domestic fires are defined as “The burning of yard waste only”
  2. Open burning is allowed in areas zoned Residential; 1 or 2 and Agricultural: Al or A2. A burning permit is required for all open burning.
  3. The burning permit applicant must come to the fire department to properly complete a burning permit application.
  4. Requests for burning permits are received at the fire department; 4713 Hartel Rd. Monday through Friday between the hours of Sam and 5pm, excluding weekends and holidays.
  5. Permits are issued on an annual basis. The resident is responsible to provide the burning permit for inspection and/ or surrender upon request of the Benton Township Fire Department.
  6. YOU must be physically in attendance of the fire at all times. The permit is valid from sunrise to sunset.
  7. YOU must burn on the property the permit is issued to and at least 5 feet from the property line and a minimum of 25 feet from any structure of combustible materials.
  8. YOU shall not use any petroleum products to start the fire or to keep it going.
  9. YOU shall burn only what grows on the property that the permit has been issued to. (Yard Waste)
  10. A source of water must be near the fire at all times.
  11. The brush shall be smaller than 3 inches in diameter. NO STUMPS, NO LOGS, NO BUILDING MATERIALS SHALL BE BURNED.
  12. The brush pile cannot exceed an area of 4 feet wide by 4 feet long and 4 feet high. (4x4x4)
  13. Smoke from the fire must not be offensive to you neighbors.
BURNING BARRELS:
  1. Burning barrels are allowed only in Residential; I or 2 and Agricultural; Al and A2.
  2. The container must be fire proof, constructed of metal or masonry, with an approved spark arrester or screen with openings no larger than % of an inch in diameter.
  3. The container must be at least 5 feet from the property line and a minimum of25 feet from any structure or combu~tible materials.
  4. YOU must burn on the property that the permit is issued to. (Renters must obtain property owner permission to burn from the property owner.)
  5. Public Ast 102 of2012 prohibits trash burning of household waste from a family dwelling with the exception of untreated paper. NO FOOD, NO PLASTIC, NO DIAPERS, NO CANS or other garbage can be burned at any time.
  6. YOU shall burn only what grows on the property that the permit has been issued to. (Yard Waste)
  7. YOU may only burn between the hours of sunrise and sunset. The fire MUST be completely out by dark.
  8. YOU shall not use any petroleum products to start the fire or to keep it going.
  9. The smoke must not be offensive to your neighbors.

PERSONS FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION OF THE BURNING REGULATIONS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO A FINE.

NO WARNINGS SHALL BE ISSUED.

FINES FOR VILOATING THE BENTON CHARTER TOWNSHIP BURNING ORDINANCES ARE $500.

NOTE: Once an annual permit has been issued, failure to call the fire department (517)-645-7061(1fno answer, ext. 5 to leave a msg.) to obtain authorization to burn for each day will be considered as if no pelmit was ever issued and the violation will be fined at twice the rate.