9.48.010 - Established.

An outdoor burning program has been established in Mason County as set out in this chapter.

(Res. 4-95 (part), 1995).

9.48.020 - Basis for permitting outdoor burning.

All open fires are permitted either by a written permit or under a general rule burn program.

(Res. 4-95 § 1, 1995).

9.48.030 - Written permits.

(a)

Written permits may be issued by designated Mason County offices or fire protection districts.

(b)

Written permits will only be issued for:

(1)

Land clearing fires (larger than four feet in diameter) consisting of natural vegetation resulting from land clearing projects; and

(2)

Permits will not be issued for the burning of prohibited materials; and

(3)

The duration of a written permit shall not exceed one month; and

(4)

Mason County offices will issue no-fee land clearing open burning permits in those fire districts not issuing their own permits; and

(5)

Land clearing permits can also be issued by those Mason County fire districts that choose to do so. Fire districts are allowed to charge a fee for the issuance of burning permits; and

(6)

Written permits will not be required for residential yard debris fires.

(Res. 4-95 §§ 2, 3, 1995).

9.48.040 - Residential yard debris burning.

(a)

Residential yard debris burning, fires no larger than four feet in diameter and burn barrels will be allowed under a general rule burn program. Under this concept, property owners will have a total of fourteen days during each calendar year to burn residential yard debris.

(b)

Property owners can pick the specific fourteen days to burn, as long as the total, in any calendar year, does not exceed fourteen days.

(c)

No fees will be charged for residential yard debris burning and a written permit is not required. However, the person in charge of the fire must have a copy of the Guidelines For Outdoor Fires In Mason County in hand at the fire location.

(d)

The brochure—Guidelines For Outdoor Fires In Mason County—will be available through county offices and local fire districts and will be mailed to property owners upon request.

(Res. 4-95 § 4, 1995).

9.48.050 - Recreational fires and ceremonial fires.

Recreational fires, which are fires not used for yard debris disposal, and ceremonial fires, which are fires associated with a Native American ceremony or ritual, will not be directly regulated under the general rule burn program. However, the will be subject to all other applicable open burning regulations, including setbacks, pile size, etc.

(Res. 4-95 § 5, 1995).