Allen County, IN Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Allen County, IN, also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance, set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Key Facts
- Allowed material
- Wood products only, countywide
- Where prohibited
- Business, apartments, 5+ unit homes
- Burn hours (rural)
- 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Wind limits
- 5 to 20 mph required
- Citation
- AC 8-20-2, 8-20-3
Summary
Allen County broadly restricts open burning: only wood products may be burned anywhere in the county, and burning is prohibited on business, apartment, and multi-unit residential property. Rural residential and agricultural zones may burn on-premises wood under strict conditions.
It shall be a violation of this ordinance to cause, suffer or allow any open burning of any substance other than wood products at any place within Allen County.
Full Breakdown
Under Allen County Code 8-20-2-2, it is a violation to openly burn any substance other than wood products anywhere in the county, and even wood burning must not cause a nuisance. Section 8-20-2-1 prohibits open burning on business property, apartment complexes, mobile home parks, or residences of five or more units unless IDEM grants a 326 IAC 4-1 variance. In rural residential and agricultural zones (RS1, RSP1, AE, A-1, A-2, A-3), 8-20-3-1 permits burning wood products that originated on the premises, only between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., with wind speed between 5 and 20 mph, kept 20 feet from structures and 100 feet from fuel/pipelines.
Violations & Fines
Illegal open burning is an infraction with a $25 fine; a willful violation carries a fine up to $2,500 (AC 8-20-5-1, 8-20-5-2). IDEM may also pursue separate action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn leaves and branches at my rural home?
Is open burning allowed in a subdivision?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Allen County
How Allen County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Allen County to another location·View the Indiana fire regulations overview
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