Oakland County, MI Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Michigan Administrative Code R 336.1310 is the EGLE air quality regulation that controls open burning statewide. It states: 'A person shall not cause or permit open burning of refuse, garbage, or any other waste materials' except for narrow exceptions. Exception (a) permits burning of household waste from 1- or 2-family dwellings that does NOT contain plastic, rubber, foam, chemically treated wood, textiles, electronics, chemicals, or hazardous materials. Exception (c) permits burning of trees, logs, brush, and stumps only if NOT within a Priority I or II air-quality area AND not within 1,400 feet of an incorporated city or village limit. Because virtually all of Oakland County is within 1,400 feet of an incorporated municipality, this exception rarely applies. Most Oakland County cities prohibit all open burning under their fire prevention chapters (Royal Oak Chapter 340; Farmington Hills Chapter 12); townships like Bloomfield Township, Oakland Charter Township, and Independence Township require a permit from the fire chief before burning brush or yard debris, with conditions on weather and supervision. Burning may be prohibited entirely during DNR-declared no-burn days; check michigan.gov/BurnPermit before lighting any fire.