Facts on Open Burning Under Missouri Regulations - PUB2047

Open burning is the burning of any materials in which air contaminants are emitted directly into the air without first passing through a stack or chimney. This fact sheet summarizes allowable and prohibited open burning under Missouri regulations. It does not include open burning restrictions that city or county governments may impose in addition to Missouri’s state regulations. Prior to conducting any open burning, businesses and citizens should contact the city or county of jurisdiction for any local restrictions.

The open burning of certain trade wastes and tires is prohibited because the toxic emissions that can be released are harmful to human health. Smoke from fires also typically produces large amounts of small particulate matter that can be inhaled, causing respiratory problems. The burning of common household trash, including paper products and food waste, can also have severe consequences. Studies have indicated the open burning of an individual household’s trash could release pollutants in higher levels than the burning of the trash of thousands of homes by a municipal waste incinerator because the lower combustion temperatures prevent complete incineration. These pollutants can include dioxins, volatile organic compounds, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, hydrogen chloride and naphthalene. Open burning exposes individuals to toxic emissions that may irritate the eyes, skin and upper respiratory tract. The central nervous system can also be affected, causing headaches, dizziness and fatigue.

Because of these potential dangers, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources strongly discourages open burning of any material prior to investigating alternatives. Some rural areas can participate in a “green box” service, which provides a trash collection point near a centrally located county road for local residents to use. Green boxes are usually picked up or emptied once a week. Other options include waste disposal services, waste diversion, recycling and composting. Contact your local Solid Waste Management District for assistance in implementing these safer alternatives to open burning.

Prohibited Open Burning Under State Regulation

Any waste generated by a business, trade, industry, salvage, or demolition operation cannot be burned unless it is untreated or vegetative wood waste. Wastes that may not be burned include but are not limited to tires, carpet, used oil, asphalt roofing material, rubber products, hazardous materials, Styrofoam™, plastics, petroleum-based products, durable goods, treated wood and any asbestos-containing material.

Allowable Open Burning Under State Regulations

Note: Local governments may have stricter laws and policies

Open Burning of Household Refuse

Missouri allows open burning of household refuse from residential premises with four dwelling units or less provided it is burned on the property owned by the party that generates it. This exemption does not apply to mobile home parks or apartment complexes. Household waste is solid waste produced by routine household activities, such as paper waste and garbage from daily activities. This does not include home remodeling waste, waste from home businesses, durable goods, such as appliances, carpets or furniture, tires or other non-routine household waste. Materials such as tires or used oil may not be used to start the fires or be burned in the fires.

Open Burning of Vegetative Wastes

Missouri allows open burning of yard waste from sites provided it originates and is burned on the same premises. Materials such as tires or used oil may not be used to start the fires or be burned in the fires. Yard waste includes trees, tree leaves, brush or other vegetation.

Open Burning in Agricultural, Natural Resource or Land Management Operations

Missouri allows the open burning of material associated with agricultural and forestry operations that is related to the growing or harvesting of crops. However, several exceptions apply. Materials such as tires or used oil may not be used to start the fires or be burned in the fires. Any burning that creates a public health hazard or produces smoke that impairs visibility for those operating motor vehicles or airplanes is prohibited. In an ozone non-attainment area between April 15 and Sept. 15 the person must notify the staff director in writing at least 48 hours prior to burning for pest or weed control or crop production.

Open Burning in Land Clearing Operations, Commercial and Non-Commercial Collection Operations

Open burning of tree trunks, tree limbs and vegetation from land clearing operations is allowed without an air curtain incinerator if the burning takes place outside the city limits and is greater than two-hundred (200) yards from the nearest occupied structure. Commercial land clearing operations inside the city limits or less than 200 yards from the nearest occupied structure must follow the requirements specified in the open burning rule. Materials such as tires or used oil may not be used to start the fires or be burned in the fires. Commercial and non-commercial collection operations where vegetative waste is generated off site must use an Air Curtain Incinerator if more than 80 cubic yards of vegetative waste per week is burned.

Open Burning at Wood Processing Facilities

Open burning of untreated wood waste from wood processing facilities is allowed if production is less than 8,000 board feet per day and located more than a mile outside of an incorporated area. The burning also must be done at least 200 yards from the nearest occupied structure. Wood processing facilities producing more than 8,000 board feet per day that wish to burn more than 80 cubic yards of untreated wood waste per week must use an Air Curtain Incinerator

Open Burning of Trade Waste

The open burning of untreated wood waste from trade, construction and demolition waste must be burned between sunrise and sunset, be supervised at all times, occur at least two 200 yards away from the nearest structure not owned by the party conducting the burning unless an Air Curtain Incinerator is used and waivers are obtained from the owner or occupant of the structure or the local fire department provides approval. Waiver from the fire department to the owner of the ACI should be in writing. Any person burning more than 80 cubic yards of this untreated wood waste per week at a single location must use an Air Curtain Incinerator.

Open Burning for Recreational Purposes

Campfires and other fires used solely for recreational purposes, ceremonial occasions or outdoor noncommercial preparation of food are allowed in Missouri. Fires shall include only vegetative woody materials or untreated wood products.

Open Burning of Certain Trade Waste

The open burning of certain trade wastes, such as explosives or hazardous waste, may be allowed with written approval from the staff director and the fire control authority in that jurisdiction. Information submitted to the staff director must show open burning is the only feasible method of disposal and that disposal is in the public's interest.

The information provided in this fact sheet should not be construed to permit open burning that causes or constitutes a public health hazard, nuisance or a hazard to vehicular or air traffic or violates any other rule or statute.

For Reference

10 CSR 10-6.045 Open Burning Requirements

Local Agencies:

Kansas City Air Quality Program
Air Quality Section
2400 Troost Ave., Suite 3200
Kansas City, MO 64108
816-513-6314
816-513-6290 fax

St. Louis County Department of Health
Air Pollution Control Section
6121 North Hanley Road
St. Louis, MO 63134
314-615-8924
Email: airpollution.doh@stlouisco.com

Springfield Air Quality Control
Department of Environmental Services
PO Box 8368
Springfield, MO 65801-8368
417-864-1412

City of St. Louis Department of Health
Air Pollution Control Program
1520 Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63101
314-612-5100
314-612-5105 fax