Rules

The following rules are also provided on the back of the burning permits issued by the Bureau.

City Permits (Chattanooga, Collegedale, East Ridge,  Red Bank and Signal Mountain)

County Permits (All other areas of Hamilton County)

1. Burning is allowed on approved days only.  Vegetation and clean, raw, untreated, non-manufactured wood materials is allowed.
2. Burning is only allowed in the months of October, November, December, January, February, March, and April subject to the following conditions.
3. Each day prior to burning call 423.643.5971 or go online to www.pollutionsolution.org to determine the burning status.
4. Only burn if conditions are favorable to burn without creating a nuisance from smoke and ash.
5. Burn piles shall not be larger than 12' x 12' x 12'.
6. Do not burn paper, cardboard, OSB, plywood, paperboard, treated wood, foam, lead paint, rubber, garbage, plastics, tires, stumps, roofing materials, shingles, sheet rock, tar paper, petroleum products, or any other obviously polluting material.
7. Burning is allowed between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on approved burning days, unless otherwise noted.  The fire shall be completely extinguished by the temination times.  No smoldering is allowed after the termination times. Do not use dirt to try to extinguish the fire. 
8. No person shall conduct a salvage operation by burning, i.e., boats, insulated wire, automobiles.
9. Fire must be attended at all times.
10. This permit must be at or near burning site and readily available for inspection.
11. The permit is only valid for materials removed or generated from the burn site address.
12. Contact your local fire department before burning.  
13. This permit is issued solely for your convenience and may be revoked or suspended at any time by the Director. 
14. This permit is not valid unless signed by applicant.

A Forestry Burning Permit must also be obtained from the Tennessee Division of Forestry for any burning within 500 feet of forests, woodlands or grasslands (burning within any city limits is exempted).  A Forestry Burning Permit can be obtained free of charge by calling 423.332.3228 (West of the Tennessee River) or 423.478.0337 (East of the Tennessee River).

Local Fire Agencies

For burning in the City of Chattanooga, notify the Chattanooga Fire Department dispatcher by calling (423) 266-2753.

For burning outside the City of Chattanooga, notify Hamilton County Emergency Services by calling (423) 622-7777.