Backyard ground-level fires in Noblesville are regulated by §92.12 (Controlled Burning) of the Noblesville Fire Prevention Code (Ord. 50-10-09). The default rule under §92.12(A) is no open burning inside City limits at any time. §92.12(B)(1)(d) carves out recreational and cooking fires as a permitted exception with prior Fire Chief approval, which §92.12(D) and §92.14(II)(B) define as a no-cost Open Burn Permit issued by the Noblesville Fire Department (Standard or Annual). The §92.12(B)(2) operating conditions apply to all exempted backyard fires: (a) only wood products may be burned; (b) fires shall be attended at all times until completely extinguished; (c) fires shall be extinguished if they create an air pollution problem, nuisance, or fire hazard; (d) no burning during unfavorable meteorological conditions (temperature inversions, high winds, air stagnation, ozone action days); (e) burning shall be a minimum of 25 feet from any combustible material or any structure. The NFD Residential Open Burning Regulations apply 2008 InFC 307.4 to allow a 15 ft setback if burning is in an approved noncombustible container (vented with enclosed sides and bottom) at a 1-4 unit residential building, during daylight hours only, all fires extinguished prior to sunset. Penalty: up to $200/day per §92.99(D).
Noblesville Code §92.12 governs backyard recreational fires. §92.12(A): "No person within the City shall burn any rubbish, trash, garbage, yard waste, leaves, construction materials, tree limbs, shrubbery trimmings, or dangerous materials at any time within the City limits." §92.12(B)(1)(d) permits "Fires used for recreational or cooking purposes" with prior Fire Chief approval. §92.12(B)(2) (mandatory conditions on all exempted fires): "a. Only wood products shall be burned. b. Fires shall be attended at all times - until completely extinguished. c. If fires create an air pollution problem, a nuisance, or a fire hazard, they shall be extinguished. d. No burning shall be conducted during unfavorable meteorological conditions such as temperature inversions, high winds, air stagnation, and the like. e. Burning shall be a minimum of twenty-five feet (25') from any combustible material or any structure." §92.12(D) (Open Burning Permits): "Prior approval from the Fire Chief, or his designee, is required for recreational open burning in the City of Noblesville. Prior approval is further defined in this section as requiring an Open Burn Permit issued by the City of Noblesville Fire Department. The required burn permit shall be kept at the site of the fire during burning operations." The NFD Residential Open Burning Regulations issued by NFD Inspection Division (Division Chief Matt Mitchell, Fire Inspector Darrel Cross, PT Fire Inspector Ryan Flora) provide that for private residential buildings containing FEWER than 4 units, burning may be conducted under the §92.12(B)(2) first-five conditions PLUS: burning shall be in a noncombustible container that is sufficiently vented and has enclosed sides and a bottom; burning shall be conducted during daylight hours only and all fires shall be extinguished prior to sunset; and 2008 InFC 307.4 sets the minimum distance from a structure at 15 ft when fires are in an approved container (versus 25 ft from a structure under InFC 307.4.2 when not in a burn pit). The Noblesville Fire Department offers a free Standard Open Burn Permit (for occasional burners; obtainable the day of burn at any City of Noblesville Fire Station) or a free Annual Open Burn Permit (for permanent residential burn sites, requires NFD inspection, renewed annually). Inside Noblesville Township (outside City limits), 326 IAC 4-1-3 controls and prior NFD notification (24 hours) is required only for piles larger than 125 cubic feet (5x5x5).
Per §92.99(D), violations of §92.12 (Controlled Burning) are punishable upon conviction by a fine up to $200.00 per offense, with each day a separate violation. §92.99 Additional Fee Schedule confirms "Open Burning Violation $200.00/Day." The Noblesville Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau (Fire Inspector Darrel Cross) enforces §92.12. Common violations: backyard fires within 25 ft of a structure or combustible (within 15 ft if using an approved noncombustible container at a 1-4 unit residential building); burning anything other than wood products (no yard waste, leaves, trash, treated lumber, or construction debris); unattended fires; burning during high winds, ozone action days, or air stagnation; burning without an Open Burn Permit; or burning after sunset in a container fire at a 1-4 unit residential building (NFD Residential Open Burning Regulations require all container fires extinguished prior to sunset). Fire Chief may order an unauthorized fire extinguished and bill response costs.
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