Open Burning
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Cal Fire has suspended ALL burn permits in MONTEREY, SAN BENITO and SANTA CRUZ COUNTIES until further notice.
The 2020 Backyard Burn Season will reopen on DECEMBER 1st, 2020. The online permit application portal will also be available on that day.
In an already challenging year, the Monterey Bay Air Resources District has been working to simplify many of the permitting and grant program application processes. This new, easier application process will now include the Backyard and Agricultural Permit Programs.
The following are some of the changes to expect:
- NO more Usernames and Passwords!
- NO more Renewals
- Simple annual form to fill out and submit
- SLV BURNERS: the authorization process will be accessed by a simple link included in your permit email.
We hope this change will be welcome and the new process simple. Should you have any questions you can contact us, as always, for assistance.
Smoke management is the use of techniques such as meteorology, fuel moisture, fuel loading, fire suppression and other burn methods to minimize the smoke impacts from fires. Accordingly, the purpose of the MBARD's Smoke Management Program is to minimize the air quality impacts of open burning.
Backyard burning is the burning of green waste material by occupants of single- or two-family dwellings. Backyard burn season is December 1 through April 30.
BROCHURE: Backyard Burning of Dry Vegetation in San Lorenzo Valley
Agricultural burning is used in the growing of crops, the raising of fowl, animals, or bees as a gainful occupation.
Agricultural Burn Permit Online Application
Prescribed burning is the use of broadcast or pile burns for the purposes of managing wildlands, range improvement, or improving wildlife habitat.
Apply here for a Prescribed Burn Permit.
Development burns are for disposing of dry vegetation grown on a property being developed for commercial or residential purposes. Please contact the MBARD office to apply for a Development Burn Permit.
Applicable Rules and Regulations:
Rule 438Title 17: Smoke Management Guidelines for Agricultural and Prescribed BurningBurn Type Information
What are the Different Types of Burns?Trash Burning BanWarming Fire GuidelinesHealth Effects of Smoke
How Smoke Can Affect Your HealthVisibility and Particle Concentration
For more information please contact: