Open Burning

Fire is not an acceptable form of waste disposal. In most cases it is illegal to burn tree leaves, garbage, yard clippings, construction debris, fallen tree branches and limbs, and other similar items in Louisville/Jefferson County.

Even legal fires are not allowed if it is an Air Quality Alert day or if winds are blowing more than 15 mph. If you are holding a fire it is your responsibility to be aware of these possibilities.

What are the fire and open burning rules in Louisville?
Recreational and Ceremonial Fires:

You may only burn clean, dry firewood. Burning trash and yard waste is illegal in Louisville/Jefferson County.
You may hold a recreational or ceremonial burn if you use a legal fire pit, either commercially built or constructed with brick, concrete, stone, or metal. If you do not have a permit the burn area may be no larger than 3 feet long by 3 feet wide by 3 feet high.
You may hold a recreational or ceremonial burn in a fire pit with a burn area up to 5 feet long by 5 feet wide by 5 feet high if you apply for and receive a recreational fire permit from the APCD.
Recreational fires that are larger than 5 feet long by 5 feet wide by 5 feet high are not permitted.
You may have a fire to cook food for a non-commercial purpose, such as a backyard cookout.
The applicant is responsible for conducting, controlling and extinguishing the fire.
For more information, including what is an acceptable fire pit, see Recreational Fires FAQs.

Agricultural Fires

Agricultural fires for weed, disease, or pest control and controlled burns for forest, orchard, range, native grassland or wildlife management are legal if you apply for and receive an Agricultural open burning permit.
Requires approval of the local fire protection district and, in some cases, the Soil & Water Conservation District.
A burn plan is required for controlled burns that do not qualify as agricultural burns.