Permits

Burn Permit
Burn permits are now available through Community Connect. To get started, simply click the link below to create your profile. Once your account is set up, you can request a permit directly through your portal by clicking the "Apply for Permit" button below.

Please note:
Commercial burn, bonfire, and blasting permits must still be applied for in person at Fire Administration, located at 6501 Quivira Road, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Residential Burn Regulations

Burning on property zoned for residential or agricultural use is allowed by permit only. Burning is limited to yard waste generated on the property for which the permit is issued. The material to be burned shall not be brought in from another location for burning.

Yard waste includes vegetation, grass, tree limbs, garden/shrub trimmings and leaves. Shawnee City Ordinance prohibits the burning of Poison Sumac, Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and any material that is not natural material, i.e. lumber, siding, etc. Burning shall not begin until 8:00 a.m. and all fires shall be completely extinguished by 2:00 p.m. All burning shall take place in the rear yard, observing the following safety rules:

  • Burn only when the wind speed is between 5 m.p.h. and 15 m.p.h.
  • The fire shall be attended by a responsible person at all times.
  • Always have a charged garden hose and tools (hoe, rake, shovel) nearby.
  • The fire shall not be within 25 feet of any structure or vehicle.
  • Burn piles shall not be larger than 15 feet in diameter.

Flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, etc., can be extremely dangerous and should never be used to ignite a burn pile.

Burning is not allowed on days that have been declared an "ORANGE ALERT DAY". The Fire Department cannot issue burn permits on an orange alert day due to the air quality. If a permit has been issued that occurs on an Orange Alert Day, the issued burn permit would be null and void, however the permit can be re-scheduled by calling the Fire Department (913) 631-1080 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. For more information about orange alert day check out SkyCast Air Quality Forecast website.

Residential burn permits may be obtained at the Shawnee Fire Department Headquarters Station located at 6501 Quivira Road during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

  • There shall be a fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) per day for each permit issued.
  • Burning permits are only good for a one-day period and each day burning is to occur requires a separate permit.

The City of Shawnee will waive the permit fee for any resident that is sixty-two years of age or older and for all properties of two (2) or more acres.

Commercial Burn Regulations

For the clearance of land by a commercial entity:

  1. Burning of trees and brush ONLY! All stumps shall be removed prior to burning.
  2. An air curtain destructor (blower) shall be required for all burn piles.
  3. Burning will not be allowed if wind velocity exceeds 15 miles per hour.
  4. The fire must be attended by a responsible person at all times. Burning begins at 8:00 a.m. and all fires must be extinguished by 5:00 p.m.
  5. Safety equipment capable of extinguishing must be available at the fire during the entire time of burning.
  6. All commercial burning must be at least 1,000 feet from any occupied dwelling or public roadway.
  7. A burning permit, at a cost of $100.00 per day is required. Your permit is only authorized for the day shown on this application. The site must be inspected and approved before burning can occur.
  8. Burning in violation of the burning regulations will cause the person(s) to be subject to a fine of not less than $50.00 and no more than $500.00. (Per Section 8.20.070)
  9. Flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, etc., can be extremely dangerous and should never be used to ignite a burn pile.

Commercial burn permits may be obtained at the Shawnee Fire Department Headquarters Station located at 6501 Quivira Road during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The fee is $100.00 per day.

Bonfire Permits

Bonfires are allowed by permit only and are limited to five per year per any one parcel of land. The material to be burned shall be natural material i.e. firewood. Shawnee City Ordinance prohibits the burning of Poison SumacPoison Ivy, Poison Oak, and any material that is not natural material, i.e. lumber, siding, etc. Bonfires shall be limited to three (3) hours in length and must be COMPLETELY extinguished no later than 11:00 p.m. All burning shall take place in the rear yard, observing the following safety rules:

  • Burn only when the wind speed is between 5 and 15 MPH.
  • The fire shall be attended by a responsible person at all times.
  • Always have a charged garden hose and tools (hoe, rake, shovel) nearby.
  • The fire shall not be within 25 feet of any structure, vehicle, or property lines.
  • Burn piles shall not be larger than 10 feet in diameter.

Permits may be obtained at the Shawnee Fire Department Headquarters Station located at 6501 Quivira Road during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

There shall be a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per day (bonfire) for each permit issued regardless of applicants' age or size of property.

The City may waive the permit fee for any state accredited school, non-profit organizations, religious organizations, or government entity for the purpose of celebrating a particular organizations related event.

Flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, etc., can be extremely dangerous and should never be used to ignite a burn pile.

For additional information on bonfire permits or burning regulations, contact the Shawnee Fire Department at (913) 631-1080.

Burning shall not be allowed on days that have been declared a "Orange Alert Day" For more information about red alert day check out SkyCast Air Quality Forecast website.

Blasting Permits

The City is currently under the blasting regulations adopted by the State of Kansas, K.A.R. 22-4-5./N.F.P.A. 495; and under the 2018 International Fire Code, Chapter 56 , adopted by the Shawnee Municipal Code.

It is the User/Blasters' responsibility to know, understand, and interpret into proper usage, the above stated regulations.

  • City of Shawnee Blasting Permit Application filled out in detail with correct information.
  • State of Kansas Explosive Storage Site Permit filled out in detail with correct information.
  • State of Kansas User's Permit copied to this office.
  • State of Kansas Blaster's Permit copied to this office for each responsible blaster on site.
  • Map or Blueprint of blasting area with designated distance shown (magazines, roads, structures, etc.).
  • Bond or acceptable insurance form for sum of at least $1,000,000 presented to this office.
  • ATF&E Notice of Clearance copied to this office.
  • Valid photo identification copied to this office for each blaster on site.

All applications and information given to the City of Shawnee Fire Department regarding blasting within the city limits of Shawnee, Kansas, are correct. All regulations are understood by this responsible party and will be followed. Please allow two weeks for the permit to be issued.