Old Bridge, NJ Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Township Code § 21-5, part of the Air Pollution Control Code adopted May 5, 1986 by Ordinance No. 17-86, prohibits three categories of open burning outright: salvage operations conducted by open burning, disposal of rubbish, garbage or trade waste or of buildings or structures by open burning, and disposal of any type of plant life by open burning. The only carve-outs are a DEP variance issued under N.J.A.C. 7:27-2 et seq., open-burning exercises for firefighter training or research conducted under a Health Department permit, use of open burning or smoke agents for motion-picture or television special effects with 72 hours' advance written notice to the Health Department, and any period when the Governor declares an air pollution emergency or adverse weather nullifies burning allowances.

Training and research burns require a permit from the Health Department under Subsection C, and the Code distinguishes a "permanent open-burning exercise facility," used 15 or more days per permit year and requiring an impervious pad and dike, from a "temporary open-burning exercise facility," used fewer than 15 days per year on a single specified date. Permanent facility permits run one year and must be renewed 30 to 90 days before expiration; temporary permits cover a single day, with a make-up day allowed within 30 days if canceled.

Applications must detail the site plan, responsible parties, fuel type (restricted to commercial-grade fuel oil or Health-Department-approved combustible material), disposal method, safety devices and the exercise schedule. Burns may run only between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., with the Fire Department, Police Department, DEP field office and area forest fire service notified in advance. Violations fall under the Township's general penalty, Code § 1-3, up to a $1,250 fine, 90 days imprisonment or 90 days community service, with each day a separate offense under § 1-4.