Burn Permits

Burn permits are required because the process of burning wood and other materials produces fine particulate matter that can be harmful to your lungs and heart. Burning also produces carbon monoxide and other toxins that can harm your health. To obtain an open burn permit, follow the steps below.

STEP 1: Review guidance document below to create an account on the Dust and Miscellaneous Portal: 

Create an Account for the Dust and Miscellaneous Portal

STEP 2: Login to Dust and Miscellaneous Portal to access your account. 

STEP 3: Complete an Open Burn Permit application by accessing the guidance document below:  

Completing an Open Burn Permit Application through the Dust and Miscellaneous Portal (PDF)

STEP 4: A Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD) inspector will come to inspect the burn site and issue a burn permit if applicable. 

STEP 5: Submit the Presumptive Permission to Burn form to MCAQD and follow all the instructions on the form:

Presumptive Permission to Burn Form

Outdoor Fires

To reduce particulate matter air pollution, all types of outdoor fires are prohibited in Maricopa County, except for fires that are specifically allowed by Rule 314. Rule 314 lists the types of fires that are allowed and the restrictions that apply to each type of fire. Permits are required for the following types of fires:

• Fires for disease and/or pest prevention
• Fires for prevention of fire hazards
• Fires for firefighter training
• Fires for burning agricultural ditchbanks and fence rows
• Fires for watershed rehabilitation or control
• Fires for destruction of tumbleweeds (not allowed from May 1 – September 30 in Area A)
• Fires for agricultural land clearance (not allowed from May 1 – September 30 in Area A)

Air Curtain Destructors

Open outdoor fires in an air curtain destructor require a Title V permit and an approved burn plan. For more information, call 602-506-6010.

Fines

Fines for outdoor fires that require a burn permit range from $200 - $10,000 per violation, depending on the type and amount of material burned, the location of the outdoor fire, and other factors associated with the violation.

Report a Violation

Complete the online Air Quality Violations Report Form or call the air quality hotline at 602-372-2703. When calling, you will either speak to our complaint intake staff or leave a message describing the violation. These messages are checked frequently throughout the day so that complaints can be assigned to inspectors promptly. If you choose to provide contact information when submitting a complaint, the inspector who responds to the complaint will contact you to explain their findings.