Clermont County, Ohio General Health District

Air pollution complaints include concerns about smoke, dust, odors, industrial emissions, asbestos and open burning. Air pollution complaints address outdoor air quality issues and exclude indoor air quality issues, which fall under housing complaints. Complaints about sewage odors fall under sewage complaints.

Air pollution complaints received by the Clermont County General Health District (CCGHD) are referred to the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services (HCDOES). The HCDOES has been contracted by the Ohio EPA to monitor air quality and investigate air pollution complaints in Clermont County. Citizens who have complaints about outdoor air quality issues should contact the HCDOES.

The open burning of solid waste is regulated by the Ohio EPA and is prohibited under most circumstances, but some exceptions are allowed:

Within a restricted area (city limits) with prior notification:

Prevention or control of disease or pests
Ceremonial fires no larger than five feet by five feet and lasting no more than three hours and disposal of agricultural waste

In restricted and unrestricted areas without prior notification:

Cooking for human consumption (such as barbecues)
Heating tar
Welding torches
Smudge pots
Heating for outdoor workers

Outside a restricted area without prior notification:

Agricultural wastes
Landscape wastes
Residential wastes (only such materials as wood or paper products that are generated by one, two or three family residences)

Outside a restricted area with a permit:

Land-clearing waste generated on the premises including plant matter which is removed when land is cleared for residential, commercial, or industrial development. Prior written permission from the HCDOES and burn permit from the local fire department must first be obtained before burning land-clearing waste.

Materials such as tires, plastics, garbage, and dead animals may not be burned anywhere in the state except at a licensed solid waste disposal faciltiy.

Waste may not be hauled to another site and burned. No open burning can take place within 1,000 feet of an inhabited building located off the property where the fire is set

There are alternatives to open burning. Leaves, grass clippings, tree trimmings, and other yard wastes can be brought to composting facilities in the county. Other types of solid waste such as paper and plastics can be recycled. Visit the Clermont County Office of Environmental Quality for information about recycling and the disposal of the household hazardous wastes.

For more information about open burning or to obtain an open burning permit contact HCDOES. Additional information is also available from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.