City of Murray, Kentucky

Home > Murray Fire Department > Administration Division > Fire Prevention Bureau > Ordinance - Open Burning

Open Burning

The information below is meant to serve as a summary of the Fire Prevention Ordinance concerning Open Burning. For the complete and official Ordinance please visit the following page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get an application to burn?
A burn permit application can be downloaded here or you can contact Fire Prevention or Fire Administration.

Does it cost anything to apply for a burn permit?
There is no charge for a burn permit.

What times of the year is burning restricted to certain times?
February 15 thru April 30 and October 1 thru December 15: 6 p.m. until 6 a.m.
*The Fire Chief or Fire Marshal may issue a ban on open burning if severe weather conditions exist.

Can I burn leaves in the City of Murray?
No, leaves are not allowed to be burned in the City of Murray.

What are the consequences for illegal burning or failing to obtain a permit?
Violations are subject to a $50 fine.

Do I need a burn permit to use an outdoor burn pit, fireplace, or chimanea?
No.

Allowable Reasons for Burning

Fires set for cooking food
Recreational or ceremonial fires
Fires set for the disposal of storm debris, land management, and land clearing
Small fire set for workers for comfort heat when the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (Fire must be contained to a drum)
Bona fide firefighter training
Agricultural and wildlife management
Emergency disposal of hazardous materials under the direction of KY EPA

Allowable Materials

Tree Limbs
Firewood
Clean Lumber (not painted, stained or pressure treated)

Illegal Materials

Agricultural (animal bedding, hay, muck piles)
Construction (asbestos, construction debris, renovation debris, shingles, buildings, demolition debris, drywall)
Household Garbage and Rubbish
Leaves and foliage
Wood materials (fence posts, sawdust, wood mulch, pallets, wood chips, wood shavings, and painted, stained or pressure treated wood)
Miscellaneous (Chemical containers, insulation, carpeting, tires, coated wire, furniture, rubber, used oil, commercial waste)

Size Limit and location

Burn Piles shall not exceed 25ft X 25ft X 8ft high
Fire shall be located at least 50ft from any building or utility line
Fire shall not be allowed to spread to within 50ft of a building or utility line
Fires in outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and chimeneas shall be located at least 15ft from any building or utility line

Attendance Required

Any open burning shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished
Adequate and appropriate fire extinguishing equipment shall be available for immediate use