The Laurel Park Town Council has adopted an outdoor and refuse burning ordinance banning the open burning of vegetation and undergrowth.
While the ordinance is intended to protect residents from the air pollution and fire hazards of open burning, outdoor burning and refuse burning, it was brought to comply with state law in regard to open burning of vegetation.
North Carolina Administrative Code allows for the open burning of vegetation and undergrowth only if there is no public pickup services available within a municipality. Laurel Park provides weekly pickup services of bagged leaves and larger limb and debris removal at least twice a year.
The ordinance does list a series of exceptions, including for cooking, recreation and ceremonies. Forest and wildlife management, agricultural purposes, firefighting training and disposal of dangerous material are allowed uses following the protocol of the respective agency.