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Burning Permits

The Town of Cottage Grove allows burning
BY PERMIT ONLY

Open Burning is regulated by Wisconsin Administrative Code sections NR 502.11 and NR 429.04.  These sections primarily deal with WHO is allowed to burn and WHAT they are allowed to burn. Some areas of Wisconsin are further regulated as to WHEN burning is allowed through a requirement for a Wisconsin DNR burning permit. While the Town of Cottage Grove is not in one of these areas, Town of Cottage Grove Ordinance section 11.02 Outdoor and Open Burning does require a burning permit from the Town for any open burning.

A wealth of information from the Wisconsin DNR regarding open burning is available at: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/OpenBurning/

Online Burning Permit Application
(Your permit will be emailed to you) 

Printable/Fillable Burning Permit Application
Complete and return to the Town Hall:
Address:
4058 County Road N
Cottage Grove, WI 53527
Fax: (608) 839-4432
Email: office@tn.cottagegrove.wi.gov

Once you have obtained the annual permit, you are required to call the Fire Department burn line ( (608) 839-5021 ext. 112 or menu option 1) or visit the Fire Department web site (http://www.cottagegrovefire.org/burn-permits.html) to check for any burning restrictions prior to burning on the day of the burn. 

*As a courtesy, permit holders planning to burn an area exceeding 5 acres in size are asked to leave a message on the burn line to inform the fire department of their plans.

TOWN OF COTTAGE GROVE BURNING PERMIT CONDITIONS

Open Burning means burning outside of an enclosure. This permit allows for burning of tree and plant waste materials generated on the property. Once you have your annual permit, call the fire department burn line (608-839-5021 ext. 112 or menu option 1) or visit the fire department web site (http://www.cottagegrovefire.org/burn-permits.html) to check for any burning restrictions prior to burning on the day of the burn.  *As a courtesy, permit holders planning to burn an area exceeding 5 acres in size are asked to leave a message on the burn line to inform the fire department of their plans.All open burning must be reduced to a campfire by sunset.

A campfire is a small fire in a fire pit or surrounded by a fire ring intended for recreation or cooking. All campfires shall be extinguished by 10:00 PM on Sunday thru Thursday and 11:00 PM on Friday or Saturday, or shall be extinguished immediately upon the request of a neighbor due to smoke causing a nuisance on the neighboring property.

THE FOLLOWING ARE PROHIBITED WITHOUT EXCEPTION WITHIN THE TOWN OF COTTAGE GROVE

  1. Open burning of any wet combustible rubbish, garbage, oily substances, asphalt, rubber products, or other materials prohibited by Wis. Admin. Code §§NR 429.04 or 502.11.
  2. Open burning of explosive or dangerous material without a permit issued either by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources [WDNR], or the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services [WDSPS].
  3. Open burning in an air curtain destructor without first obtaining a permit from the WDNR and having received written approval from the Town Board.
  4. Open burning of any material whatsoever by businesses, excluding agricultural or silvicultural facilities, except where a wood burning site license under Wis. Admin. Code §§NR 502.11(f) has been approved by the WDNR.
  5. Open burning of any material whatsoever by agricultural or silvicultural facilities, except for stumps, trees, limbs, brush and weeds, as described in Wis. Admin. Code §§NR 502.11(2)(a).

THE FOLLOWING SHALL BE COMPLIED WITH AT ALL TIMES DURING ANY BURNING ACTIVITY

  1. A responsible adult with the physical and mental capacity to conduct any burning for which the Open Burning Permit is issued shall be in attendance at any fire until it is totally extinguished.
  2. All burning shall be conducted in a safe manner, when wind and weather conditions are such that they do not create any fire hazards to adjacent properties and the burning can be safely controlled.  Open burning may be restricted due to weather conditions at the discretion of the Fire Chief.
  3. Except for campfires,or when specifically noted on the permit as a special condition, no open burning shall be conducted between sunset and sunrise.
  4. Campfires shall be extinguished by 10:00 P.M. on Sunday thru Thursday and by 11:00 P.M. on Friday or Saturday, and shall be extinguished immediately upon the request of a neighbor due to smoke causing a nuisance on the neighboring property.
  5. No open burning shall be conducted within 20 feet from any structure, hay stack, or fuel storage location; or upon any surface within a right-of-way, public or private.
  6. Adequate firebreaks shall be provided, and arrangements shall be made to notify the fire department in case of any emergency, [ie: having a phone available to DIAL 911].
  7. The open burning shall not be in violation of any federal air control rules, or any state air pollution control rules that are required by applicable federal laws or regulations.