• The burning container must be 25 feet or more away from any combustible structure or combustible materials.
• The fire box can only be three feet in diameter and the stack of wood is limited to two feet in height.

• The burning container must be 15 feet or more away from any combustible structure or combustible materials.
• The spark arrester or screening must be in its proper position on the container.
• The fire box can only be three feet in diameter and the stack of wood is limited to two feet in height.

TOWNSHIP OPEN BURNING REQUIREMENTS

(www.linncleanair.org)

As of January 1^st, 2009, properties in unincorporated Linn County that are located within ½ mile of the city limits of Cedar Rapids, Marion or Hiawatha AND are zoned as Urban Service Residential will no longer be allowed to legally open burn.

No open burning is allowed within the cities of Cedar Rapids, Marion or Hiawatha.  (Exception:  Recreational fires – see city ordinances). 

The following types of burning DO NOT require a burning permit:

1. Fires used solely for cooking out or barbecuing of food and/or other legitimate recreational activities. These fires must be no larger than three feet (3 ft.) in diameter and burn charcoal or clean wood material.
2. Camp fires and outdoor fireplaces burning clean wood material, when in association with camping out, cooking, or similar related recreational activities provided that these fires comply with all other sections of this ordinance and are no larger than three feet (3 ft.) in diameter.
3. Fires for the disposal of residential waste, provided that these fires are burnt in an approved container (no larger than 55 gallons) such as a burning barrel.A wire cover is required to control the burning embers and sparks.Residential waste means any refuse generated on the premises as a result of residential activities.The term includes landscape waste grown on the premises or deposited thereon by the elements, but excludes garbage, tires, trade wastes, and any locally recyclable good or plastics.

NOTE:  Grass, leaves, etc. may be burned on the open ground, but will require an open burning permit from the Linn County Health Department.

NOTE:  Burning barrels are not allowed within the city limits of Cedar Rapids, Marion or Hiawatha.

Other types of burning are permitted but are required an ‘Open Burning Permit’ issued and signed by representatives of the Linn County Health Department.  Fires must be “clean” and not produce dense black smoke. 

Examples of materials which may not be burned:  dead animals, waste oil, plastics, rubber or tar-based roofing, asbestos-containing materials, creosote, Styrofoam, tires, etc.

Permits are not issued for commercial wastes. 

A valid open burning permit requires the following:

1. Burning must be conducted during the dates specified in the permit.
2. Unless otherwise approved, burning is to be conducted during daylight hours only.
3. Fire must be attended at all times during burning. The attendant shall have the burning permit in his/her possession at the time of the burning.
4. Burning must be conducted in a safe and reasonable manner.
5. Burning is restricted to materials listed on the burning permit.
6. Before burning, notification should be given to the Linn County Sheriff’s Department dispatchers at 319-398-3911.

7-20-09