Open Burning
Burning trash is illegal
Burning trash (including cardboard boxes and treated wood) is against the law. Today's trash has plastics, metals, dyes and chemicals. When trash is burned, it releases toxins that pollute our air, land and water.
Violators can face fines up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail.
What you can do
- Choose items with less packaging.
- Learn how to recycle right.
- Take bulky items to local drop-off sites. Learn how to get rid of your stuff.
- Use a trash removal service. Contact haulers in your area.
Report burning
If you suspect illegal burning, call 911. Your call can be anonymous.
Burning yard waste requires a permit
Each city and township has different rules about burning grass, leaves, brush and untreated lumber. Some work directly with residents to issue permits. Others require residents to fill out a permit form from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Use the drop-downs to find the best way to complete a permit for your city or township.
- Apple Valley: Apple Valley Fire Department, 952-953-2600.
- Burnsville: Burnsville Fire Department, 952-895-4444.
- Coates: Rosemount Fire Department, 651-322-2027.
- Eagan: Eagan Fire Department, 651-675-5900.
- Empire: Farmington Fire Department, 651-280-6945.
- Farmington: Farmington Fire Department, 651-280-6945.
- Hampton: Randolph Hampton Fire District, 612-845-6399, 651-216-9863 or 507-291-0953.
- Hastings: Hastings Fire Department, 651-480-6155.
- Inver Grove Heights: Inver Grove Heights Fire Department, 651-450-2547.
- Lakeville: Lakeville Fire Department, 952-985-4700.
- Lilydale: Mendota Heights Fire Department, 651-452-1850.
- Mendota: Mendota Heights Fire Department, 651-452-1850.
- Mendota Heights: Mendota Heights Fire Department, 651-452-1850.
- Miesville: DNR Online Burning Permit.
- New Trier: Randolph Hampton Fire District, 612-845-6399, 651-216-9863 or 507-291-0953.
- Northfield: Northfield Area Fire & Rescue Service, 507-366-8124, admin@nafrs.org.
- Randolph: Randolph Hampton Fire District, 612-845-6399, 651-216-9863 or 507-291-0953.
- Rosemount: Rosemount Fire Department, 651-322-2027.
- South St. Paul: South Metro Fire Department, 651-552-4172.
- Sunfish Lake: City Forester, 612-803-9033.
- Vermillion: Fire Warden, 651-246-1180.
- City of West St. Paul: South Metro Fire Department, 651-552-4172.
- Castle Rock Township: Complete permit process through Farmington Fire Department or Randolph-Hampton Fire Department, depending on your residence.
- Douglas Township: DNR Online Burning Permit.
- Eureka Township:
- Residents east of Cedar Avenue complete through Farmington Fire Department.
- Residents west of Cedar Avenue complete through Lakeville Fire Department.
- Greenvale Township: Northfield Area Fire & Rescue Service, 507-366-8124.
- Hampton Township: Randolph Hampton Fire District, 612-845-6399, 651-216-9863 or 507-291-0953.
- Marshan Township, 612-708-3231, marshantownship@gmail.com.
- Nininger Township, 651-260-7126, niningertownship@gmail.com.
- Randolph Township: Randolph Hampton Fire District, 612-845-6399, 651-216-9863 or 507-291-0953.
- Ravenna Township: Fire Warden, 612-306-9628.
- Sciota Township: Randolph Hampton Fire District, 612-845-6399, 651-216-9863 or 507-291-0953.
- Vermillion Township: Fire Warden, 651-246-1180.
- Waterford Township: Northfield Area Fire & Rescue Service, 507-366-8124, admin@nafrs.org.
Fire danger and burning restriction maps are updated daily by the DNR.