Outdoor burning rules in Waukesha County, WI — also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance — set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Wisconsin DNR rules and your municipality control open burning. You may burn only small amounts of dry leaves, clean untreated wood and unrecyclable paper; garbage, plastic, rubber and treated wood are prohibited. A DNR or local burning permit is often required.
The DNR allows individual households to burn small amounts of dry leaves, plant clippings, unrecyclable paper, natural fibers and clean untreated wood. It bans burning garbage, plastics, rubber, treated or painted wood, shingles, tires and construction debris. In DNR forest-fire protection areas a free burning permit is required when the ground is not snow-covered; permits do not apply inside incorporated cities and villages, which set their own rules. The Town of Waukesha requires a permit (or an approved incinerator), limits piles to 10 feet, bans burning above 15 mph wind or in dry conditions, and allows burning only in daylight, fully extinguished at night.
Illegal open burning is subject to forfeiture; a person who lets a fire escape is also liable for all suppression costs.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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