Outdoor burning rules in Indianapolis, 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.
It is unlawful to cause, suffer or allow any open burning anywhere in Marion County except the limited purposes permitted by Sec. 511-703 through 511-706, and even permitted wood burning may not be done so as to cause annoyance or constitute a nuisance, under Marion County Revised Code Sec. 511-702.
Indianapolis/Marion County Revised Code Sec. 511-702 establishes a general prohibition on open burning, allowing it only for the special purposes in Sec. 511-703 (ceremonial fires, campfires/cookouts, comfort fires, agricultural waste, heating/fireplaces, and residential limb/twig/branch burning), fire training (Sec. 511-704), emergency burning (Sec. 511-705) and air-curtain-incinerator variances (Sec. 511-706). Prohibited materials include leaves, grass, household garbage, lumber, furniture, mattresses, land-clearing debris, dead animals, tires and hazardous materials (indy.gov BNS). The state baseline, 326 IAC 4-1-2, similarly provides that 'Open burning is prohibited except as allowed in this rule,' but Indianapolis enforces its own local ordinance through the Department of Public Works and fire/law-enforcement officers under Sec. 511-708.
Under Sec. 511-709, a violator may admit liability and pay a $50 civil penalty; substantial violations may be administratively adjudicated or civilly enforced, with fines not to exceed $2,500 for each violation and each day in violation counted separately. The owner of the property where the burning occurs is prima facie liable (Sec. 511-707(b)).
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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