Iowa City, IA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Iowa City regulates open burning through Title 6 Chapter 6 of the City Code (https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/iowacityia/latest/iowacity_ia/0-0-0-2041), Section 6-6-1 prohibiting open burning subject to enumerated exceptions, in coordination with Iowa City's adoption of the International Fire Code under Title 17 and the Iowa DNR's open-burning rule at 567 IAC 23.2 (https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/rule/567.23.2.pdf). The permitted exceptions are narrow: recreational fires in approved containers of steel, brick, or masonry; portable outdoor fireplaces; and specific uses approved in writing by the Fire Code Official. Burning of lumber, pallets, scrap wood, tree trimmings, leaves, yard waste, paper, cardboard, garbage, painted or treated wood, tires, and rubber-derived fuels is prohibited at all times. Outdoor burning is banned 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. unless permitted and approved by the Fire Code Official. The Iowa City Fire Department's education page at https://www.icgov.org/government/departments-and-divisions/fire-department/education-and-resources confirms these rules. Iowa DNR Rule 567 IAC 23.2 independently prohibits open burning of solid waste, household trash, and rubber-derived fuels statewide and imposes setback and nuisance limits. All open burning is automatically suspended whenever the Iowa State Fire Marshal declares a Johnson County burn ban (current list at https://dps.iowa.gov/divisions/state-fire-marshal/burn-bans). Contact: Iowa City Fire Department 319-356-5260; Fire Marshal Axel Swanson at firemarshal@iowa-city.org.