Complaints involving rental property in the City of Marion will be handled by the Marion Fire Department.  To make a complaint, call Marion Fire Department Headquarters at 377-8237.  The following information is needed to a complaint: 

• Address of the property involved
• Nature of the complaint

Callers are encouraged to give their names as follow-up information regarding the results of the complaint inspection can be relayed to the complainant.  Anonymous complaints are investigated however. 

Following the receipt of the complaint, the owned or the property will be contacted and informed of the complaint.  An inspection date will be set up to either verify the complaint or to verify that the complaint has been taken care of.  If the complaint involves an immediate life hazard, the Fire Department will inspect immediately.

A Beer and Liquor License is required for all businesses that sell or serve beer or liquor in the City of Marion .  This license requires Marion City Council and Iowa Beer and Liquor Control Department approval.  A sequence of events must occur so that the application can be considered by the City Council prior to the expiration of the previous license.  Here is that sequence of events:

1. The owner of the establishment must stop at Marion City Hall and request an application for a beer and liquor permit.  This application should be done at least 60 days before their current license expires.
2. The Fire Department will be notified by City Hall regarding the application.  The Fire Department will send out a letter to the applicant scheduling an inspection and informing the applicant of the deadlines for City Council consideration.   If the time and/or date of the inspection is inconvenient, it can be re-scheduled as long as enough time is allowed to complete the process.
3. An inspection will be conducted by a Fire Inspector and an Inspector (if available) from the Building Department  (at the same time).  All violations noted must be corrected prior to the deadline listed in the Fire Department letter.
4. Once all violations are completed, the application will submitted to the City Council for their consideration.  The City Council will approve or reject the application.
5. If approved, the application will be sent to the Iowa Beer and Liquor Control Department in Des Moines .  If everything is in order, they will issue the permit and mail it back to Marion City Hall .  The new license can be picked up by the applicant at City Hall.  This license will be good for one year.

If you have any questions regarding the beer and liquor permit process, please contact the Marion City Hall at 377-1581 or the Marion Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau at 377-8237.