If you’ve accumulated a lot of yard waste, with falling limbs and even leaves, grass clippings or brush, there are several ways you can dispose of them in Kansas City, KS including burning them, having them picked up with your trash, or by hauling them to the Wyandotte County Recycling & Yard Waste Drop Off Center. While the latter two options are available year round, open burning is only allowed in KCK during two, 30 day periods. This year, open burning is allowed during the month of April and from October 16 through Nov. 15.

Don’t get ready to set a match to it yet; you need to know the rules.

Permit required

Kansas City, KS residents can apply for a burn permit at any of the Fire Stations currently staffed by the Kansas City, KS Fire Department. Residents are limited to one 3-day burn permit per burn period that allows for the combustion of one 10 foot by 10 foot or smaller pile of naturally occurring residential organic yard waste generated onsite. If you operate a business out of your home you are classified as a business and cannot participate. Applications must be received and approved at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of burning. Open burning with a permit is allowed between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The owner of the property must apply for and sign the permit.

Burn rules

A responsible party must be present at all times until the fire is completely extinguished. While conducting the burn, residents must maintain a copy of the burn permit on site as well as an adequate water supply and/or other comparable extinguishing resources. Burning must not occur within 15 feet of any building or within 15 feet from any one’s property line, street, or sidewalk.

Materials burned within the city limits of Kansas City, KS are limited to organic materials — yard waste generated such as tree limbs, leaves, weeds, brush, and grass. Not allowed in KCK open burns are: rubbish, wire insulation, tires, rubber products, plastic, treated lumber, automobile products, paper, cardboard, construction chemicals, household chemicals or any other material that normally emits dense smoke, noxious odors or hazardous air pollutants be burned.

Winds and pollution

At any time, the Fire Chief may revoke burn permits or ban open burning. Weather conditions (high winds-sustained over 15mph, low humidity) may make open burning too dangerous. Suspension of open burning will be posted on the Unified Government’s website and on the KCKFD web and Facebook pages. Open burning may also be suspended when air pollution “Red Alert” days are declared by the Mid America Regional Council.