The following is a generalized recap of the open burning rules in force for Linn County, Iowa. This recap is meant to assist the public in determining proper conduct as it relates to the open burning laws included in Section 10.10 of the Linn County Code of Ordinances.

1. The following types of burning are permitted and do not require a burning permit.
   1. Fires used solely for the cooking out or barbecuing of food. These fires must be no larger than two feet in diameter, and be fueled with clean materials such as wood or charcoal.
   2. Camp fires, burning clean wood material, when in association with camping out or similar related recreational activities, provided that these fires are no larger than three feet in diameter.
   3. Fires for the disposal of household wastes such as papers, grass, leaves and other clean materials, provided that these fires are burnt in an approved container such as a burning barrel with wire cover for the sparks. Note: Grass, leaves, landscape wastes, etc. may be burnt on the open ground but would require an open burning permit to do so. Open burning permits will be discussed later in number two below. Household wastes are not allowed to be burned within the city limits of Hiawatha, Cedar Rapids or Marion.
2. Other types of burning are permitted but require an Open Burning Permit issued and signed by representatives of the Linn County Health Department and the Fire Department having jurisdiction at the place of burning. Materials such as garbage, dead animals, waste oil, paint, plastics, rubber, tar, tar based roofing, asbestos containing materials, creosote, styrofoam, etc. may not be burnt with or without an open burning permit. Fires must be "clean" and not produce dense black smoke. Normal landscape waste burning permits are not allowed within the city limits of Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha and Marion. Permits are not issued for commercial wastes. The following is a list of requirements for maintaining a valid open burning permit.
   1. Open burning Permits must be signed by a representative of the fire department and the health department to be valid.
   2. Burning must be conducted during the dates specified on the permit.
   3. Unless otherwise approved, burning is to be conducted during day light hours only.
   4. Fires must be attended at all times during the burning. The attendant should have the burning permit in his or her possession at the time of burning.
   5. Burning must be conducted in a safe and reasonable manner.
   6. Burning is restricted to materials listed on the burning permit.
   7. Before burning, notification should be given to the Linn County Sheriff switch board at 398-3911.

How To Obtain a Burning Permit

Burning permits are obtained through the Linn County Health Department. Application can be made over the phone at 892-6000 or over the Internet at www.air.linn.ia.us [1]

The permit is mailed to the Marion Fire Department after it has been generated. Once signed by the Fire Department representative, the permit will be mailed to you. You may also personally apply at the Health Department and hand-carry the permit to the Fire Department to be signed.

Please contact the Marion Fire Department [2] at 377-8347 or the Linn County Health Department at 892-6000 if you have any further questions regarding open burning in Linn County.