Tree waste rules in Vermont: burning permits from the town fire warden and slash removal after cutting
What sections 2645 to 2648 of Title 10 of the Vermont Statutes say about permission to burn natural wood and brush, the closing of woodland by proclamation, fires in another owner's woods and the slash that must be removed after cutting forest growth.
Checked against the sources at the bottom of this page on October 8, 2026. Rules, fees and pay change: the source has the last word.
This page reports what the official source says. It is not legal advice: ask the office named here. It follows sections 2645, 2646, 2647 and 2648 of Title 10 of the Vermont Statutes as published by the Vermont General Assembly.
Permission from the town fire warden
According to section 2645 on open burning, a person shall not kindle a fire in the open air to burn natural wood, brush, weeds or grass without first getting permission from the town forest fire warden or deputy, stating when and where the fire may be kindled. The warden issues a written Permit to Kindle within 12 hours for record purposes. The section defines natural wood as trees, including logs, boles, trunks, branches, limbs and stumps, lumber, and pallets not chemically treated with preservative, paint or oil. It says natural wood does not include sawdust, plywood, particle board or press board, and that wood, brush, weeds or grass altered by paints, stains, preservatives, oils, glues or pesticides shall not be burned.
The section lists cases it does not cover.
- A fire where snow surrounds the open burning site.
- Fires in stone arches, outdoor fireplaces or existing fire rings at State recreational areas, or on private property when not within or next to woodland or dry grass.
- A fire 200 feet or more from woodland, timberland or a field of dry grass contiguous to woodland.
- Areas within cities that maintain a fire department.
It adds that with the Secretary's written approval, during periods of increased fire hazard, the commissioner may tell town fire wardens that no burning permits are to be issued for a specified period.
Proclamations and woods of another
Section 2646 says the Governor may, when there is excessive danger of forest fires, prohibit by proclamation the kindling of a fire in or next to forestland or close woodland or brushland in any town, to all persons except the owner and household, tenants, servants or agents and public employees abating the hazard. According to section 2647 on fires in woods of another, no one builds a fire in another's woodlands between April 1 and November 1 without the permission of the owner, lessee or right-of-way holder, and anyone who builds a fire in or next to woods totally extinguishes it before leaving.
Slash after cutting
According to the section 2648 on slash removal, a person may cut forest growth only if all slash next to the right-of-way of a public highway or the boundary of an adjoining owner's woodlot is removed for 50 feet, and all slash is removed for 100 feet from standing buildings on adjoining property. It says the town forest fire warden may, on request, issue a statement relieving the operator of these conditions if there is no fire hazard from the cutting.
For other places see the table on tree waste and chip rules. Maine has its own page: tree waste rules in Maine. Rules for moving wood are on moving wood in Vermont.
Sources
- Vermont General Assembly, 10 V.S.A. section 2645 open burning and permits, read October 8, 2026
- Vermont General Assembly, 10 V.S.A. section 2646 proclamation prohibiting kindling of fires, read October 8, 2026
- Vermont General Assembly, 10 V.S.A. section 2647 fires in woods of another, read October 8, 2026
- Vermont General Assembly, 10 V.S.A. section 2648 slash removal, read October 8, 2026