Spencer Township Fire Department

Open Burn Permit Rules:

Lake Residential ONLY:

Open burning is not permitted in the LR District; provided, however, that the burning of leaves only is permitted in the LR District from April 15 to May 15 and from October 15 to November 15 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.  Any fire burning leaves during that time must be completely extinguished by 6:00 p.m. and must at all times burn hot, no smoldering fires are permitted. A BURN PERMIT IS NOT REQUIRED from the Fire Department for the limited leaf burning permitted by this subparagraph.  

You must be property owner or have permission from them to burn.

You must be a minimum of 18 years old to request one and be in attendance of it.

You can only burn wood, leaves & brush.  NO: boxes, papers, trash, plastic, shingles etc.

You must have a water souce at the base of the fire.

You must have the fire a minimum of 25 feet from any structure or woods and 10 feet inside your property.

You can only burn from 8am to midnight.

Fire must be put out if you leave it.  Even if you only go inside.  No fire can be left unattended.

Fires in a pit that are bigger than 3x3x3; are considered bonfires and must have a permit.

Any fire in a pit that is smaller than 3x3x3 and is being used to cook on or sit around for fun, you do not need a permit.

If you call and leave your information you are liable if you do not follow any of the above rules.  Leave all of the following information, if you do not leave any of it, the burn permit will be void.

 Call 616-984-2200 anytime 

 Information needed:

Address of where you are going to be burning

What you will be burning

What date you are going to start

& For how many days (up to 4 days max.)

We understand that sometimes a tame fire can get out of control,

call 911 right away.