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Shawnee County hears first reading of HR 2025-4 to rewrite open-burning rules
Summary
At a Dec. 18 work session the Shawnee County commissioners heard a first reading of Home Rule Resolution HR 2025-4, which would replace the county’s open-burning code for unincorporated areas with yearly permitting, day-of authorization and a formal burn-ban procedure; no final action was taken.
Shawnee County commissioners received a first reading Dec. 18 of Home Rule Resolution HR 2025-4, a proposal to repeal and replace the county’s open-burning code for unincorporated areas. Kyle Edelman, assistant county counselor, told the board the resolution would establish rules for general open burning, agricultural burns, recreational fires and household-trash burning, add a yearly permitting structure and require day-of authorization and a formal procedure for implementing burn bans.
The resolution, Edelman said, applies only to unincorporated portions of Shawnee County and will not change city ordinances. “This is the first reading for this home rule resolution,” Edelman said, noting the board will need to schedule a second reading before any adoption. He said the county counselor’s office sought feedback from Emergency Management, the sheriff’s office, local fire districts, the Farm Bureau and the conservation district.
Commissioners asked whether ceremonial or park events—including past burn events at Burnett’s Mound—would fall under the new code. Edelman said such activities that occur inside city limits would remain governed by city rules; if park land existed in the unincorporated county, the resolution would apply to that land. Commissioners did not move the item to a vote at the session.
Because this was a first reading, no formal motion, vote tally or adoption occurred. The resolution remains pending a second reading and any additional edits the board may request.
