Imlay City Fire
Online Burning Permit System
For the issuance of burning permits in:
City of Imlay City
Open burning is NOT permitted in the City of Imlay City by City Ordinance
94:1 See Ordinance Link
However, the City Commission had authorized the Fire Chief to allow for small recreational campfires limited in size to 10 square feet, with the additional requirement that the campfire do not create a public nuisance. Additionally, burning may be allowed during special events approved by the City of Imlay City Commission or the Fire Chief.
Open burning is allowed in Imlay City under the following Conditions: You must have a permit to have an open burn. Any person who maliciously sets a fire which endangers human life or destroys the property of another, may upon conviction, be assessed a fine of not more than $10,000, or imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years or both such fine and imprisonment. Any person who sets a fire without taking responsible precautions to prevent the escape thereof or leaves the fire before it is extinguished is guilt of a misdemeanor. And person who negligently allows fire to escape is liable for all expenses incurred by Imlay City/Imlay Township in the suppression of such fire. Any permit issued may be revoked if conditions are not met or if burning cannot be done safely. This permit does not supersede any other Acts, Ordinance, or rule, which further restricts or prohibits the setting of fires. Local Ordinance: Any person, firm, or corporation who violated any provision of this charter is responsible for a municipal civil infraction, subject to payment of a civil fine of not less than $500 plus costs and other sanctions for each infraction. Repeat offenses under this chapter shall be subject to increased fines as provided in local ordinance. Issuance of permit does NOT relieve the permittee of: His/her responsibility of complying with all air pollution laws, regulations and ordinances. His/her responsibility of keeping a competent watch over the fire. His/her responsibility of any damage the fire may cause to other parties or their property. Good judgement MUST be used when burning even though a permit has been obtained.
NOTE: UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL ANYTHING OTHER THAN NATURAL VEGETATION BE BURNED.
Permissible Burning:
Recreational Campfires are defined as a small recreational campfires that are limited to 3 feet by in size that are contained within a metal fire ring or other self-contained metal unit.
NO BURN BARRELS
Assistance Completing Forms/ Questions
For residents served by the Imlay City Fire Department having questions or needing assistance in filling out forms should call the following numbers based on your local government:
Imlay City Residents should call City Hall at 810-724-2135.
Minimum Requirements
You must have the items listed below in order to burn.
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You must be 18 or older to obtain a burn permit
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A charged garden hose or a five gallon bucket of water unless the ground is completely covered in snow
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Must have a shovel or rake
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Must be at least 20 feet from structures
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Must use a fire ring or self-contained metal unit
Open burning is prohibited for any of the following reasons:
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The burning is offensive due to smoke and/or odor emissions when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires objectionable to others.
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Location of the open burning is less than 20 feet from any structure,
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The open burning is not constantly attended and/or a garden hose or other approved fire extinguishing equipment is not available for use.
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A fire ring or self-contained metal unit are not used.
If burning violated any of the rules above, your permit to burn may be revoked by the Fire Chief of his designee until such a time can demonstrate compliance with these rules.
Permits are normally valid from the date of request to the next Sunday. Subsequent burning without a permit is a violation of these rules. Unless restricted due to weather conditions,this permit will be valid from 8/26/2026 through 8/30/2026
By completing the following form, I request authorization to start or cause to be started a fire upon land under my control at the specified address.