Jackson Municipal Code Ch. 8.44 Burn Permits

This chapter is adopted for the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the City of Jackson by regulating the use of open burning and fire for vegetation management, fire prevention, and related purposes.

(Ord. 737, 9/8/2025[1])

[1]

Editor's Note: This ordinance was originally adopted as Ch. 8.36 but was renumbered to maintain the organization of the Code.

A. It is unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity, whether acting personally or in a representative capacity, to set fire to, burn, or ignite any grass, weeds, brush, or other natural vegetation within the City of Jackson without first obtaining a written burn permit from the fire chief or his or her designee.

B. Permits are required for burning on residential property with one- or two-family dwellings. The vegetation must originate from the property where the burning occurs.

C. Special Burn Permit for Other Properties. Properties that are not one- or two-family dwellings must request special permission from the fire chief or his or her designee to conduct open burning.

1. Prior to issuing a permit, the fire chief or his or her designee shall conduct an on-site inspection of the property to determine whether open burning can be conducted safely and in compliance with applicable regulations.

2. Any such permit shall include additional conditions as deemed necessary by the fire chief or his or her designee to ensure public and environmental safety.

D. Only Burn Piles are Allowed. Burn piles must:

1. Consist solely of dry, natural vegetation (no trash, garbage, or other solid waste).

2. Not exceed four feet in length, four feet in width, and four feet in height.

3. Be continuously attended by a competent adult until fully extinguished.

E. Authorization to Burn. The burn permit holder must be the owner of the property or must have written permission from the property owner to conduct the burn. This written authorization must be kept on site and provided upon request by the Jackson Fire Department or law enforcement personnel.

(Ord. 737, 9/8/2025)

A. Incinerators, burn barrels, and fire pits used for waste disposal are prohibited.

B. Burning shall only be conducted under safe weather conditions:

1. No burning is allowed during winds exceeding fifteen miles per hour.

2. Permit holders must call the Amador County Burn Day Information Line to verify whether it is a permissive burn day.

C. Fire safety measures must be observed:

1. A minimum twenty-foot clearance must be maintained from homes, structures, fences, propane tanks, and other combustibles.

2. Alternatively, a plowed or cleared firebreak at least six feet wide may be required.

3. All fires must be always supervised and fully extinguished by the end of the burn period.

D. No fire may create excessive smoke or odor that becomes a public nuisance.

E. Fires on public property, including streets and parks, are prohibited unless expressly authorized by the fire chief or his or her designee.

(Ord. 737, 9/8/2025)

A. Burning is allowed only during the designated burn season, as recognized by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), unless otherwise suspended or extended by the fire chief or relevant state agencies.

B. Burn hours may be restricted by the fire chief through permit conditions, based on safety or air quality needs.

(Ord. 737, 9/8/2025)

It is unlawful to burn:

A. Trash, garbage, refuse, or solid waste;

B. Any non-vegetative or synthetic material; and

C. Materials that produce toxic or noxious smoke in violation of state or local air quality rules.

(Ord. 737, 9/8/2025)

A. The fire chief or his or her designee may enter any property at reasonable times to conduct inspections and ensure compliance with fire prevention and burn regulations.

B. The Jackson Fire Department is authorized to extinguish any fire conducted in violation of this chapter or deemed unsafe due to weather, fuel conditions, or supervision.

(Ord. 737, 9/8/2025)

A. Any violation of this chapter or the terms of an issued burn permit shall be considered a misdemeanor.

B. Upon conviction, the offender may be punished by:

1. A fine not exceeding one thousand dollars; and/or

2. Imprisonment in the Amador County Jail for up to six months.

C. Violations may also be prosecuted as an infraction at the discretion of the city attorney.

D. Nothing in this chapter shall relieve any individual of civil liability for damage or injury resulting from negligent or unlawful burning.

(Ord. 737, 9/8/2025)