Under Vermont Air Pollution Regulations, the open burning of natural wood and yard waste from property maintenance, property clearing, and so forth is allowed without a permit from the Air Quality and Climate Division. Open burning of trash is never allowed in Vermont, however, there are still reports of illegal burning across the state. The burning of garbage, tires, rubber, plastic, waste oil, asphalt materials, 
asbestos, pressure-treated wood, and plywood are all prohibited.
We encourage towns to post open burning information at town offices and on Front Porch Forum, especially in the spring and fall when property-clearing activities tend to increase. Additionally, towns can enact a local ordinance and designate an enforcement officer. A model ordinance, poster, pamphlet, and additional information are provided below, and a ticket book can be requested from the Vermont Judicial Bureau at (802) 295-8869. Furthermore, the highest ranking fire department official on hand has the authority to extinguish an illegal burn per 20 V.S.A. §2673, and per 24 V.S.A. §2201, local police can respond to illegal burning complaints. Generally, fire wardens are concerned with forest fire prevention, and are not responsible for environmental rules.
Flyers, Posters, and Fact Sheets:
- Fact Sheet - Backyard Burning
- Poster - Backyard Burning
- Flyer - "A Smokestack in Every Neighborhood"
- Flyer - "No Such Place as a Faraway Place to Burn"
- Flyer - "Air Pollution Has No Boundaries"
- Flyer - "Think of the Children"
- Flyer - "Health Effects of Burning Specific Materials"
Powerpoint Presentations:
- Open Burning - Information for Town Health Officers
- Dioxin and Backyard Burning
- Hazards and Effects on Respiratory Health of Backyard Burning
Statutes and Rules:
- Trash Burning Statute
- Vermont Environmental Regulations Related to Illegal Burning
- Model Local Ordinance -pdf
- Model Local Ordinance - Word
If local officials are unable to respond to an open burn incident involving the burning of prohibited items, you can submit a complaint directly to the DEC Environmental Compliance Division via their online complaint form or call (802) 828-1254. Major illegal burning cases (large piles of refuse, whole structures, etc.) or repeat offenses can also be referred to the Environmental Compliance Division.
Documenting Incidents:
- Complainant name, address, and phone #.
- Alleged violator's name, location, and phone #.
- Who started the fire? When?
- Was a permit obtained from the Fire Warden?
- How many people/households affected?
- Sensitive populations? Schools, day cares, elderly, etc.
- Type of materials being burned (photos are good).
- Estimate size of burn pile
- Frequency of open burning?
For general questions about open burning please contact Addisan Pound at addisan.pound@vermont.gov or call (802) 661-8937.