CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – April 18, 2019 – The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau is reminding Hamilton County residents that beginning May 1st, seasonal burning restrictions will take effect and continue through September 30th. During this period no burning, commercial or residential, will be allowed in Hamilton County.
Residents of Hamilton County wanting to burn brush and vegetation from their yard for disposal purposes will need to obtain a burn permit from the Air Pollution Control Bureau prior to April 30, 2019.
Anyone burning within the city limits of Chattanooga, Collegedale, East Ridge, Red Bank, and Ridgeside should apply no later than Friday, April 26th to allow time for an inspection by our Bureau Investigator. The permit allows residents to burn on approved days during specified hours.
To obtain a permit application, residents may:
- request one by phone at 423-643-5970
- download one at apcb.org
- pick one up at the Bureau at 6125 Preservation Drive, Ste. 140, Chattanooga, TN 37416.
Residents will be charged a processing fee to help cover the expense of the program. Burning sites within the city limits listed previously, require a $60 fee and an inspection prior to receiving a permit.
Burning sites outside of the above listed city limits pay a $10 fee and usually do not require an inspection.
Recreational fires are allowed during the restriction period. A recreational fire is a cooking or campfire, using charcoal or clean, untreated firewood, that is limited to two feet by three feet in size. These can occur in designated areas or on private property for cooking, pleasure, or ceremonial purposes.
Burning leaves, brush, and other vegetation creates smoke resulting in a number of hazardous air pollutants. In addition to increasing pollution levels, exposure to these pollutants can result in health effects ranging from allergies to cancer. Burning restriction is a proven method of controlling air quality. Residents and companies are encouraged to use alternatives to burning, like chipping, composting and recycling.
