The following Burning Ordinance was approved by the Heath Township Board in 2003. Please take notice that at a meeting of the Township Board held on September 8, 2003, the Heath Township Board adopted Ordinance No. 57. the Open Burning Ordinance. A summary is as follows:

Section I – Title This ordinance shall be known and cited as the “Heath Township Open Burning Ordinance”

Section II – Purpose The purpose of this ordinance is to protect the health, safety, welfare and property of the citizens of Heath Township and to prevent environmental and fire hazards which can be caused by open burning.

Section III – General Prohibitions No open burning shall be permitted in Sections 5 and 6 of Heath Township, Allegan County, Michigan. However, a resident in Section 5 or 6 may apply to the Hamilton Fire Chief or designated officer to obtain a special permit for open burning. in consideration of any permit, adjoining property owners must be notified by an applicant. open burning in other sections of the Township shall be governed by the provisions in Section IV.

Section IV – Provisions For Open Burning All open burning, as in out-of-doors burning on the ground, shall comply with the following provisions:
1. Be attended by a competent person at all times.
2. Be of materials consisting of paper, cardboard, dry leaves, brush and clean untreated lumber.
3. Burning to occur only after sunrise and extinguished and asmitting no smoke after 9:00 pm or 10:00 pm during daylight savings time.
4. Burning shall occur at least fifteen feet (15′) from any structure, fencing or woodpiles.
5. Burning shall occur at least fifteen feet (15′) from any public or private property line.
6. No burning shall occur within a 24-hour period preceeding and during any Trick-or-Treat hours established by the Township Board.

No burning shall occur if it is determined by the Fire Chief that conditions are such that burning would be hazardous to health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the community.

Section V – Enforcement and Penalties Any violations of this ordinance will be considered a municipal civil infraction punishable by a civil fine which is $100 for the first offense; $250 for the second and $500 for the third offense. The ordinance will be enforced by the Township and the Township may also bring a civil action for injunction and damages.

Section VI – Effective Date and Repeal of Conflicting Ordinances This Ordinance shall take effect 30 days after publication. NOTE: This ordinance is currently in effect.

Campfires are now allowed in sections 5 and 6. Please acquire a permit before burning.