City of West Burlington – Open Burning Regulations

📞 City Hall: (319) 752-5451
📞 Public Safety (Call Before You Burn): (319) 671-7001
🚨 For Emergencies Dial: 911

🔥 Definition of Open Burning:

Open Burning is defined as any fire in an outside location.

🚫 Open Burning is Prohibited
No person shall ignite, cause to be ignited, permit to be ignited, allow, or maintain any open burning fire within the City of West Burlington.

✅ Exceptions to the Open Burning Regulations:

🍔 Outdoor Cooking Fires -

• No permit required.
• Must use manufactured outdoor fireplaces or grills.
• Safe distance from buildings and combustibles required.
• Acceptable fuels: clean lumber, logs, propane, natural gas, charcoal, kerosene, and camp-stove fuel.

🍂 Leaf Burning -

• Leaves and twigs (≤1 inch diameter, ≤2 feet length).
• Allowed Wednesdays & Saturdays during daylight hours.
• Permitted only:
  • April 1 – April 21
  • October 15 – November 30
• No permit required.
• Do not rake leaves into the street unless burning the same (permitted) day.
• Do not burn on asphalt.

🌳 Landscape Waste -

• Includes tree trimmings and brush on agricultural land (≥1 acre).
• Allowed Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
• Permit required.
• Fire Department must be notified before burning.
• Burn time must be approved by the Fire Chief and listed on the permit.

🗑️ Trash Burners / Burn Barrels -

• Allowed Wednesdays & Saturdays during daylight hours.
• Permit required.
• Approved containers only.
• Acceptable materials:
  • Yard waste (brush, sticks, branches, shrubs)
  • Household rubbish (paper, wood products)
• Prohibited materials:
  • Garden waste, leaves, grass
  • Rubber, asphalt, plastic, garbage, food waste

🧯 Training Fires -

• For instruction and training of public/industrial employees.
• Permit required.
• Fire Department must be notified before burning.

🌪️ Disaster Rubbish -

• Allowed during officially declared emergency conditions.
• Includes landscape waste and rubbish.
• Permit required.
• Fire Department must be notified before burning.

🔥 Religious & Ceremonial Fires -

• Permit required.
• Fire Department must be notified before burning.

📝 Permit Information:

• Annual inspection required for burn barrels and open burn sites.
• Permit valid for one year.
• Cost: $25.00
• Applications available at City Hall and printable Open Burn Application Link
• Permit issued upon Fire Chief’s approval.

📋 Rules for Open Burning:

• 🔥 Supervision & Equipment: Must be constantly attended by someone familiar with regulations. Fire extinguishing equipment must be readily available.
• 🌬️ Wind Speed: No burning when wind exceeds 10 mph.
• 🏠 Distance: No burning within 25 feet of structures or combustibles.
  • Exception: If pile is ≤3 feet in diameter and ≤2 feet in height.
• 🏡 Landscape Waste Exception: Must be ≥¼ mile from any building not owned or occupied by the burner.
• 🚫 Fire Chief Authority: May require fire to be extinguished if deemed hazardous or offensive.