Please fill out the information below and select the appropriate permit type.  Payment must be submitted with the application.  We accept credit cards and E-checks. Service fees apply.

Application Fees

County burning permits:  $10.00 (plus $1.49 service fee)

• Applies to residents burning less than two (2) acres of material in Hamilton County, TN.  A permit from the Tennessee Division of Forestry is also required when burning within 500 feet of forestlands, woodlands and grasslands.

City burning permit: $60.00 (plus $1.49 service fee)

• ​Applies to residents burning less than two (2) acres of material within the city limits Chattanooga, Collegedale, East Ridge, Red Bank, and Ridgeside.  An inspection is required.

Controlled burning permit: $500.00 (plus $11.75 credit card or $1.49 E-check service fee)

• Applies to residents burning more than 2 acres of material in Hamilton County, TN.  Contact our Investigator at (423) 643-5970 prior to submitting your Controlled Burning Permit application.

CONDITIONS TO BURN 

City and County Burning Permits

1. Only vegetation and/or clean, raw, untreated, non-manufactured wood may be burned.
2. Each day before burning, you are required to confirm the burning status and to contact the fire department. 
3. The burning site must be more than 100 feet from your neighbor’s structure.
4. Burn piles cannot be larger than 8’ by 8’ by 8’ and material (limbs, tree trunks) is less than 12 inches in diameter.
5. The fire must be completely extinguished by the termination time. No smoldering.
6. The burning material can only be generated from the burn site address.  Burning material from other locations is strictly prohibited.
7. The burning of continuously generated waste (i.e. pallets) is prohibited.