News Flash

The Spring open burning period begins on April 1, 2021 and the regulations are listed below. Please be considerate of others. If you plan to burn, please reach out to your neighbors and make them aware. Additionally, Spring tends to be a windy time of year. Please remember that open burning is not allowed when the wind is 15 mph or greater. 

Permissible Open Burning.

It shall be lawful to engage in open burning of plant material grown on the premises or deposited thereon by the elements by the owner or occupant of the premises involved, subject to the following:

1. Open burning is allowed between the dates of April 1^st through June 30^th and October 1^st through November 30^th. 
2. Open burning shall occur in the backyard Monday through Sunday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. and is limited to single family dwellings only. Burning on public streets and alleys is prohibited. Burning on the property of another is prohibited unless the property owner grants permission, i.e. neighbors, neighborhoods, and all open burning regulations shall apply. All open burning piles shall be extinguished by 7 p.m.
3. Open burning of any material is not allowed by an owner or occupant of premises upon which more than one family dwelling unit is found.
4. Open burning is not allowed on holidays.
5. Open burning shall be prohibited when atmospheric conditions make such fires hazardous and includes:
   1. Wind speed greater than 15 mph.
   2. Extended dry weather conditions.
6. Open burning shall not be less than 50 feet from any structure. Fire in enclosed containers with a cover to control flying embers shall not be less than 15 feet from any structure.
7. Any opening burning must be constantly supervised by a competent person equipped with a satisfactory means of fire control.
8. Burning by commercial business is prohibited unless a burn permit is obtained from the Fire Department. If a permit is issued, all requirements for open burning shall be followed.
9. All open burning must be in compliance with the International Fire Code as adopted by the City of Marshalltown.

Recreational Burning Allowed; Rear and side yard restrictions, and spruce trees.

1. Recreational burning shall be allowed for food preparation and camping purposes – or as defined in the definition section. The material to be burned is limited to       seasoned wood, and the fire shall comply with all other applicable codes related to open burning.

1. Recreational fires are allowed both on the ground and in a container designed for this purpose at one-and two-family dwellings.
2. Recreational fires on the ground shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material.  
3. Recreational fires contained in appliances specifically designed for this purpose shall not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material.
4. Bonfires shall follow the listed requirements for recreational burning with the following exceptions:
   1. A permit is required from the fire code official.
   2. Bonfires are required to be 50 feet from any structure and 15 feet from property lines.
5. The responsible party must provide a means to control flying embers.
6. All recreational fires must be extinguished by 2:00 A.M.
7. Recreational fires shall be attended at all times until the fire is extinguished. 
8. Responsible party shall have available at all times a sufficient means of extinguishment to include any of the following:
   1. Garden hose connected to a continuous water supply.
   2. Fire extinguisher complying with Section 906 of the International Fire Code.
   3. Dirt or sand
9. Municipal camping areas are exempt from the requirements of this section except for the restrictions on size.

10. Recreational fires are allowed year round.