Skagit County, WA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Skagit County, WA, also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance, set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Key Facts
- Permitting authority
- Skagit County Interagency Fire Warden
- Exempt land
- Forest land (RCW 76.04.005(8)) and city/town land
- Legal basis
- International Fire Code § 307, SCC 12.60
- State rules adopted
- WAC 332-24-205, -221, -271
- Violation class
- Class 1 civil infraction, separate per day
Summary
Anyone burning outside a city or town in unincorporated Skagit County needs a written burning permit from the county Fire Warden once a fire exceeds the size set by Board of County Commissioners resolution, under SCC 12.60.020. Forest land regulated under RCW 76.04.005(8) is exempt from this county permit.
Except on land classified as “forest land” under RCW 76.04.005(8) and land in a city or town, a person shall have a written burning permit to kindle or maintain any fire which exceeds size requirements determined by resolution by the Board of County Commissioners. The permit shall be issued by the Interagency Fire Warden employed by Skagit County, herein referred to as the Fire Warden, under the authority of the Skagit County Fire Marshal to enforce the International Fire Code as adopted by Skagit County. ... Failure to obtain a written burning permit as required by this Chapter and/or failure to comply with any condition of a burning permit once issued shall be a civil infraction. Each day of violation constitutes a separate infraction.
Full Breakdown
60 is enacted under International Fire Code Section 307, which lets the county require a permit before kindling or maintaining a bonfire or rubbish fire. 005(8) and land inside a city or town, both of which fall outside the county's permit authority. 020(2) lets the Fire Warden attach conditions for the protection of life, property or air quality and suspend or revoke a permit when conditions warrant. 94 RCW, Chapter 173-425 WAC and Northwest Air Pollution Authority (NWAPA) regulations. 030 folds in the state Department of Natural Resources burning rules at WAC 332-24-205, 332-24-221 and 332-24-271 by substituting "Skagit County" for "Department" throughout, and sets a permit fee by Board resolution; a permit is not valid until that fee is paid.
Violations & Fines
Burning without the required written permit, or breaking a permit condition, is a civil infraction under SCC 12.60.040, with each day of violation a separate infraction; Class 1 civil infractions carry the associated legal penalty plus any unpaid fee. The Fire Warden enforces the permit requirement and the Northwest Air Pollution Authority enforces the air quality component, with infractions processed under Chapter 7.80 RCW and WAC 173-425-060(6).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a county permit to burn yard debris on my Skagit County property?
Who issues Skagit County burning permits?
Does this county permit apply on designated forest land?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Skagit County
How Skagit County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Skagit County to another location·View the Washington fire regulations overview
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