Outdoor burning rules in Hamilton 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.
Open burning of trash and yard waste for disposal is banned statewide by Indiana's IDEM under 326 IAC 4-1. Small recreational and ceremonial fires of clean wood are exempt in all counties unless a local ordinance prohibits them. Cities like Carmel add their own burning rules on top.
Indiana's open-burning rules are set by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) under 326 IAC 4-1 and apply across Hamilton County. General open burning for disposal (leaves, brush, trash, construction debris) is prohibited. A recreational or ceremonial fire is exempt: you may burn only clean wood, paper, charcoal, and clean petroleum products; volume of clean wood is limited to less than 1,000 cubic feet; only one pile at a time; and if the pile exceeds 125 cubic feet you must notify the local fire and health departments at least 24 hours ahead. Burning may not be used for disposal, must stay in daylight hours, be attended, and stop during high winds, inversions, or Air Quality Action Days. Recreational fires
IDEM enforces the open-burning rule with notices of violation and civil penalties; a local fire chief may order any burning discontinued as a hazardous condition. During drought, county emergency-management officials or fire chiefs may impose a countywide burn ban (posted
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Hamilton County's outdoor burning rules stack up against other locations.
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