Fire pit rules in Noblesville, IN — also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances — cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Recreational fires (including backyard fire pits) in the City of Noblesville are regulated by §92.12 (Controlled Burning) of the Noblesville Code of Ordinances and Ordinance 50-10-09 (Noblesville Fire Prevention Code), adopted by the Common Council on October 27, 2009. §92.12(A) states: "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 approval of the Fire Chief, which §92.12(D) and §92.14(II)(B) defines as a no-cost Open Burn Permit issued by the Noblesville Fire Department (Standard or Annual). Per §92.12(B)(2), all exempted recreational fires must: (a) burn only wood products; (b) be attended at all times until completely extinguished; (c) be extinguished if they cause an air pollution problem, nuisance, or fire hazard; (d) not be conducted during unfavorable meteorological conditions (temperature inversions, high winds, air stagnation); and (e) 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 when burning in an approved noncombustible container (vented with enclosed sides and bottom) at a private residential building with fewer than 4 units.
Noblesville Code of Ordinances Chapter 92 (Fire Prevention Code), as adopted by Ordinance 50-10-09 on October 27, 2009 (Mayor John Ditslear), establishes the local rules for recreational backyard fires. §92.12(A) (Controlled Burning - Responsibilities) prohibits burning of rubbish, trash, garbage, yard waste, leaves, construction materials, tree limbs, shrubbery trimmings, or dangerous materials at any time within City limits. §92.12(B)(1) lists the only fires permitted with prior approval of the Fire Chief or his designee: (a) Twelfth Night Ceremonies; (b) school pep rallies; (c) scouting activities; and (d) fires used for recreational or cooking purposes. §92.12(B)(2) imposes the operating conditions for all exempted fires: (a) only wood products shall 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; (e) burning shall be a minimum of 25 feet from any combustible material or any structure. §92.12(D) (Open Burning Permits) and §92.14(II)(B) (Permitting - Open Burning Permits) require an Open Burn Permit issued by the Noblesville Fire Department kept at the site during burning operations. The NFD Fire Prevention Bureau (Division Chief Matt Mitchell) operates a no-cost permitting process and offers two permit types: the Standard Open Burn Permit (for residents who burn 2-3 times a year - fill out the permit at any Noblesville Fire Station on the day of burn) and the Annual Open Burn Permit (requires a permanent burn site with a fire department inspection; once issued, the homeowner can burn anytime in compliance with the permit conditions and Ch. 92, renewed annually). For private residential buildings containing fewer than 4 units, the NFD Residential Open Burning Regulations apply 2008 Indiana Fire Code (InFC) Sec. 307.4 to permit a 15 ft setback (instead of the 25 ft setback in §92.12(B)(2)(e)) when burning is conducted in a noncombustible container that is sufficiently vented and has enclosed sides and a bottom, during daylight hours only, with all fires extinguished prior to sunset. Per §92.99(D), open-burning violations are subject to a fine of up to $200.00 per offense, with each day a separate violation. Noblesville is in Hamilton County and is served by its own Noblesville Fire Department (NFD); the NFD jurisdiction covers both the City of Noblesville and Noblesville Township.
The Noblesville Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau Inspection Division (Division Chief Matt Mitchell) enforces §92.12. Per §92.99(D), violations of §92.12 (Controlled Burning) are punishable upon conviction by a fine of up to $200.00 per offense, and each day during which a violation takes place is deemed a separate violation. Per the §92.99 Additional Fee Schedule, an Open Burning Violation is $200.00/day. Burning without an Open Burn Permit, burning prohibited materials (yard waste, leaves, trash, construction debris, tree limbs, shrubbery trimmings), placing a fire within 25 ft of a structure or combustibles (or within 15 ft when using an approved noncombustible container), leaving a fire unattended, or burning during unfavorable meteorological conditions are all separate violations. Per §92.04(A), the Fire Chief may issue citations into the court having jurisdiction. The Fire Chief may also order an unattended or hazardous fire extinguished and bill the responsible party.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Noblesville, IN
Noblesville's UDC and Code of Ordinances contain no explicit ban on, nor minimum or maximum coverage limit for, artificial or synthetic turf in residential y...
Noblesville, IN
Noblesville encourages plant material 'normally grown in Central Indiana' that is 'capable of withstanding the extremes of individual site microclimates' und...
Noblesville, IN
Under Noblesville UDO § 159.128 (Mobile Food Vehicles), food trucks may operate only on private property with the owner's permission and a valid Noblesville ...
Noblesville, IN
Operating a food truck in Noblesville requires a Mobile Food Vehicle Permit under City Code / UDO § 159.128 (Mobile Food Vehicles). The annual permit fee is ...
Noblesville, IN
Federal law preempts city regulation of drone airspace. Recreational flyers in Noblesville must comply with FAA 14 CFR Part 107 (commercial) and 49 U.S.C. § ...
Noblesville, IN
Noblesville does NOT require a city permit to hold a residential garage / yard sale. Sales are limited functionally by the Unified Development Ordinance temp...
See how Noblesville's fire pit rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.