Burn Requirements & Permits

Open Burning / Bonfire /Controlled Burn Requirements

If an open burn, bonfire, controlled burn is greater than 3 ft in diameter, approximately 3 ft x 3 ft x 2 ft high, a permit from the Neosho Fire Department is required. Once the permit is obtained a member of the Neosho Fire Department will schedule a time to inspect the burn site. 

A permit can be obtained by filling out a burn permit application below, or by visiting:

Neosho Fire Department

125 N. College
Neosho, MO 64850

Permit Fee: FREE

Open Burning / Bonfire /Controlled Burn Rules & Regulations

The following guidelines must be followed:

  • Only yard waste such as grass clippings, leaves, tree trimmings or brush piles may be burnt. Anything that is grown on your property.
  • One of the following items shall be on site to control the fire: water hose, rake, or fire extinguisher.
  • For large piles heavy machinery may be necessary while the pile is burning.
  • Piles must be kept a minimum of 50 feet from any structure or object of concern.
    • Example: Power lines, homes, fences, out buildings, trees
  • Burn piles must be constantly attended after being ignited until the fire is extinguished.
    • Smoke rising from the pile indicates burning is still occurring.
    • Any and all unattended fires will be extinguished.
  • If in a residential area, where smoke may be an issue for neighbors, consideration must be given to be a good neighbor during the burn.
  • The Neosho Fire Department must be notified on the day of the requested burn to check weather conditions.
  • Failure to follow permit requirements may result in permit being revoked. 


If an open burn, bonfire, or controlled burn is less than 3 ft in diameter, approximately 3 ft x 3 ft x 2 ft high, a permit from the Neosho Fire Department is not required. 

The following guidelines do still apply: 

  • Only yard waste such as grass clippings, leaves, tree trimmings or brush piles may be burnt. Anything that is grown on your property.
  • One of the following items shall be on site to control the fire: water hose, rake, or fire extinguisher.
  • Piles must be kept a minimum of 25 feet from any structure or object of concern.
    • Example: Power lines, homes, fences, out buildings, trees
  • Burn piles must be constantly attended after being ignited until the fire is extinguished.
    • Smoke rising from the pile indicates burning is still occurring.
    • Any and all unattended fires will be extinguished.
  • If in a residential area where smoke may be an issue for neighbors, consideration must be given to be a good neighbor during the burn.
  • A call to the Neosho Fire Department, at 417-451-8021, is requested to check weather conditions. 


The City Code regarding burning can be found here.

Burn Permit Application

  2. Burn Permit Application

  15. Burning Guidelines

    The following rules and guidelines must be followed:

    • A burn permit is required for any open burn, bonfire, controlled burn that is greater than 3 ft in diameter, approximately 3 ft x 3 ft x 2 ft high
    • Only yard waste such as grass clippings, leaves, tree trimmings or brush piles may be burnt.
    • One of the following items shall be on site to control the fire: water hose, rake, or fire extinguisher.
    • For large piles heavy machinery may be necessary while the pile is burning.
    • Piles must be kept a minimum of 50 feet from any structure or object of concern.
      • Example: Power lines, homes, fences, out buildings, trees
    • Burn piles must be constantly attended after being ignited until the fire is extinguished.
      • Smoke rising from the pile indicates burning is still occurring.
      • Any and all unattended fires will be extinguished.
    • If in a residential area, where smoke may be an issue for neighbors, consideration must be given to be a good neighbor during the burn.
    • The Neosho Fire Department must be notified on the day of the requested burn at 417-451-8021 to check weather conditions.
    • Failure to follow permit requirements may result in permit being revoked.

  21. Photos of the location you would like to burn and/or what you would like to burn can be uploaded above:

  23. Electronic Signature Agreement

    By checking the "I agree" box below, you agree and acknowledge that 1) your submission will not be signed in the sense of a traditional paper document, 2) by signing in this alternate manner, you authorize your electronic signature to be valid and binding upon you to the same force and effect as a handwritten signature, and 3) you may still be required to provide a traditional signature at a later date.

  25. Electronic Signature Agreement*

    By clicking "I agree", you agree to the rules and guidelines set out in this form.

    29. Leave This Blank:

  31. This field is not part of the form submission.