Mid-Missouri yard waste rules vary as burning season begins
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
With burning season underway and leaves beginning to fall, regulations about burning leaves, branches and other yard waste vary across Mid-Missouri.
According to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, state regulations allow for some residential open burning, and cities and counties have the ability to set stricter regulations.
The Columbia Fire Department requires residents to get a permit before conducting open burning within city limits. According to the City of Columbia's open-burning guidelines, residents must request a site visit to determine whether a permit can be issued.
CFD says residents can only burn trees, brush and limbs. Leaves cannot be burned unless they are still attached to the branches. Fire must be at least 50 feet from structures, constantly attended, and extinguished by 5:30. Exceptions to the fire distance are for large brush piles; those must be at least 200 yards from structures, and warming fires must be at least 15 feet from structures. Wind speeds, including gusts, must be below 10 mph.
Permits are only valid for the date they are issued, according to the city's website. Recreational fires that meet city requirements do not need a permit.
Jefferson City's yard-waste burning season runs from Nov. 1 through March 1, according to the city's regulations.
In Jefferson City, residents can burn small sticks, leaves, grass clippings and other yard debris on their property between sunrise and sunset. Fires must be attended at all times.
The Jefferson City Fire Department may issue a no-burn order if conditions are hazardous, according to the city's website.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources prohibits residents from burning materials that did not come from the "residential premises," such as tires, plastics, treated wood, used oil and hazardous materials.
Residents in Columbia and Jefferson City have options to dispose of yard waste without burning.
The city of Columbia offers yard waste drop-off locations at Parkside Drive Yard Waste Drop-Off Center and Capen Park Yard Waste Drop-Off Center. Both locations are able to recycle residents' grass clippings, leaves, brush and small tree limbs and are open throughout the week.
Jefferson City residents can drop off yard waste at 708 Ellis Boulevard, which is open throughout the week.
The ABC17 Stormtrack Weather Team recommends avoiding burning in excessively dry or windy conditions, and to always check local regulations on burning.
