Outdoor burning rules in Snohomish 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.
Land-clearing burning is permanently banned countywide. Residential yard-waste burning (pile no larger than 4x4x3 feet) is allowed only outside Urban Growth Areas and no-burn zones with a $30.90 permit from the Snohomish County Fire Marshal or your fire district. Trash and burn barrels are always illegal.
Since 2008 the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has maintained a permanent ban on land-clearing burning in Snohomish, King, Kitsap, and Pierce counties under WAC 173-425-040(5). Residential burning (leaves, clippings, prunings, and yard refuse in a pile no larger than 4 ft x 4 ft x 3 ft) requires a burn permit and is issued only for locations outside the Urban Growth Areas and outside established no-burn zones within a fire protection district. Permits cost $30.90, are valid one year, and renew for $15.45. Burning trash or using a burn barrel is always illegal. Call the burn-ban hotline (425-388-3508) before every burn.
Illegal outdoor fires typically incur fines starting at $1,000 plus the cost to reimburse the fire department's response. Burning during a fire-safety or air-quality burn ban is prohibited.
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