The City of Battle Creek is clarifying and updating our regulations around burning and related permits, to better line up with the city’s ordinance, state law, and the International Fire Code.
Neighbors who live inside Battle Creek city limits are allowed to have recreational fires and bonfires, based on our regulations (summarized here and in Chapter 1610 of city ordinances). Any other open burning is not allowed.
- Recreational fires do not require a burn permit. A recreational fire can be up to two feet high and three feet in diameter. It must be at least 15 feet from a building or anything that could catch fire. Do not burn construction materials, paper, household waste, leaves, or grass clippings.
There is no burning of leaves and grass clippings in Battle Creek city limits.
- Bonfires are larger recreational fires and must have a burn permit for the specific day you plan to burn. Get one at the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 10 N. Division St., from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, at a cost of $25.
- Bonfires can be up to three feet high and eight feet in diameter. They must be 50 feet from a building, anything that could catch fire, and public rights of way. You cannot burn rubber, plastic, garbage, petroleum products, or painted materials.
Some other notes about burning in the City of Battle Creek:
- Neighbors can use portable outdoor fireplaces and fire pits. They must be at least 15 feet from a building and anything that could catch fire.
- Neighbors can use outdoor grills. They are not allowed on balconies, and must be at least 10 feet from any construction that could catch fire, decorations, and furniture.
- You must stay near a fire while it burns. Have a fire extinguisher or water source nearby.
- Neighbors must extinguish any burning if requested by the Battle Creek Fire Department, even if they have a valid bonfire permit. Failure to do so may result in fines.
Anyone who purchased a burn permit in 2024 that expires this Dec. 31 will receive a refund from the city for that $25 fee. We will no longer issue these types of permits.
Please contact the Battle Creek Fire Department with questions about burning at 269-966-3519, and the City Clerk’s Office with questions about bonfire permits at 269-966-3311.