Vermont Burn Permit: Do You Need One and When
Vermont makes you get a Permit to Kindle from your town forest fire warden before burning brush or natural wood in the open, any time of year unless snow surrounds the site, and many towns require one even then.
Do you need a burn permit in Vermont?
Yes, and the state issues it
Vermont requires a state burning permit, and no part of the year is closed, so the answer is the daily check.
- Who issues it
- Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
- Issued by
- your town forest fire warden or deputy forest fire warden, on a paper Permit to Kindle
- How long it lasts
- the place and the date or dates the warden writes on the permit
Open burning requires a permit from the Town Forest Fire Warden unless there is snow surrounding the open burning site. However, many towns have local ordinances that require a permit year-round. Always check with your town fire warden before burning.Monitoring Fire Danger, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, read September 23, 2026. Read it at the source
Where you get one
- Town forest fire warden
- Deputy forest fire warden
When you may burn in Vermont
Statewide dates
The state closes no part of the year, so the answer is the daily check.
Vermont sets no calendar burning season; a warden's permit is required whenever you burn natural wood, brush, weeds or grass in the open, and the one statewide exception is a site with snow around it.
- Who sets it
- Vermont General Assembly
- Checked against
- 10 V.S.A. § 2645. Open burning; permits, Vermont Statutes Online
Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not kindle or authorize another person to kindle a fire in the open air for the purpose of burning natural wood, brush, weeds, or grass without first obtaining permission from the town forest fire warden or deputy forest fire warden stating when and where such fire may be kindled.10 V.S.A. § 2645. Open burning; permits, Vermont Statutes Online, read September 23, 2026. Read it at the source
What you may and may not burn in Vermont
What the state names as burnable
- natural wood
- yard waste from property maintenance
- brush
- weeds
- grass
What it names as off the pile
- garbage
- tires
- rubber
- plastic
- waste oil
- asphalt materials
- asbestos
- pressure-treated wood
- plywood
Open burning of trash is never allowed in Vermont, however, there are still reports of illegal burning across the state. The burning of garbage, tires, rubber, plastic, waste oil, asphalt materials, asbestos, pressure-treated wood, and plywood are all prohibited.Backyard Burning, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Air Quality and Climate Division, read September 23, 2026. Read it at the source
What Vermont asks of the weather and the site
Setbacks, wind limits and what has to be on hand. These are written into the rule rather than offered as advice.
- The permit is good only for the place and time written on it
- Have enough help and tools on hand to control the fire at all times
- Only natural wood material may be burned under the permit
- Do not leave the fire until it is entirely out
- Nothing restricted may be used to start the fire
- Wood, brush, weeds or grass treated with paints, stains, preservatives, oils, glues or pesticides may not be burned
- During periods of increased fire hazard the Commissioner may tell wardens to issue no permits at all
The person setting the fire must at all times have sufficient help and tools present to control the fire.Burn Permit Form (Permit to Kindle Fire, 2026 digital version), Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, read September 23, 2026. Read it at the source
What to check before you light in Vermont
A permit or a season says you may burn in general. What says you may burn today is separate, it changes daily on a wind and humidity forecast, and it overrides a permit already in hand. In Vermont it is published here.
a statewide fire danger forecast map by fire danger rating area, refreshed each morning
Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
Current Fire Danger Forecast: (updated daily at 0800)Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, read September 23, 2026. Read it at the source
What your town can add in Vermont
Towns can be stricter than the state, and many require a permit all year even on snow, so the town warden is the last word.
However, many towns have local ordinances that require a permit year-round. Always check with your town fire warden before burning.Monitoring Fire Danger, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, read September 23, 2026. Read it at the source
Vermont burn permit questions
Burn permits in other states
Vermont rules read September 23, 2026 from Monitoring Fire Danger, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. Rules change, a county or town may be stricter than the state, and a burn ban issued today overrides a season that is otherwise open. Every state is on the burn permit hub.