Riley Township Clinton County Michigan

Updated March 10, 2023

Burning Permits

NOTICE: For residents in the northwest corner of Riley Township

DAESA has contracted with Westphalia Township Fire to provide emergency services due to the proximity of these properties to the closest available responding agency.  With that, the process for burn permits is different for those Riley Township residents who are in the Westphalia Fire service area.  To secure a burn permit, these residents should visit Burn Permit - Westphalia Township and enter the requested information.  If there are any questions, please contact Lisa Powell, Riley Township Clerk, at 517-819-6132.

Burn permit process for all other residents of Riley Township remains as described below.

Burning permits can be obtained at the Riley Township Hall. This form needs to be witnessed, signed and forwarded to the Dewitt fire authority This is a lifetime burn permit for as long as you own the property requiring the knowledge and understanding of the rules and regulations of your burn as provided below:

1. Fires must be brush or firewood only. The burning of garbage, refuse, rubbish, animal waste, grass clippings, petroleum-based products, chemicals, explosives, plastic, building or construction materials is strictly prohibited.
2. All fires must be 50 feet from all structures and the location shall not be less than 10 feet from adjoining property line.
3. A 30’ debris clear zone must be maintained so that the fire will not spread.
4. Open Burning is permitted only during daylight hours and must be extinguished at sunset EXCEPT for recreational fires or 4” of snow on ground. Recreational fire means a bonfire, cooking fire, or campfire. Recreational fires must not exceed 5 feet in diameter and 3 feet in height.
5. Open burning shall be under the direct supervision and control of a person at least seventeen (17) years of age, who shall ensure that neither life nor property is endangered.
6. This permit is VOID if the wind is ten miles per hour (10 mph) or greater.
7. A source of water such as buckets of water or a garden hose or a suitable substitute shall be available within reasonable proximity to the burn and adequate to extinguish the fire, should the need arise.
8. Fires must be completely out when you are done.
9. Please let your neighbors know that you are having a fire so that they know you have a permit to burn and will not be calling the fire department because they think you are burning illegally.
10. Burning rules must be followed, or you may be subject to a citation and/or additional fines and charges.
11. This burn permit must be available for inspection by fire or police personnel upon request.

General Prohibitions on Open Burning and Outdoor Burning in the State of Michigan

1. Air quality and solid waste regulations prohibit open burning of construction and demolition waste. Chemically treated lumber as well as synthetic and painted building materials contain high concentrations of hazardous compounds that produce toxic emissions when burned.
2. Structures which are to be demolished by intentional burning are subject to State and Federal regulations. Michigan air regulations only allow buildings to be intentionally burned for fire department fire suppression training.
3. Michigan air quality and solid waste regulation prohibit open burning that creates smoke or odor nuisances. All allowed open burning shall be conducted in a safe, nuisance-free manner, when wind and weather conditions minimize adverse effects and do not create a health hazard or a visibility hazard on roadways, railroads or airfields. If your fire is creating a nuisance for others or a visibility hazard, you will be asked to extinguish the fire.
4. Open burning shall be conducted only on the property on which the materials were generated.
5. When weather conditions warrant, the DeWitt Area Emergency Services Authority may temporarily suspend issuing permits and may temporarily suspend previously issued burning permits for open burning. When in doubt, call or check the website located on the front of this form.
6. Any violation of the conditions of a burning permit shall be deemed a violation of your township burning ordinance. Any violation of the ordinance or the burning permit shall void the permit.
7. The fire Department and/or County Sheriff’s Office Personnel may enter onto property to inspect for the purpose of ascertaining compliance with the provisions of this ordinance.
8. A  person maintaining an open burn in violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall be responsible for all fire suppression costs or other enforcement expenses, payable to the Township.  Charges for emergency assistance may be amended by Resolution of the Township Board.