Outdoor burning rules in Noblesville, 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.
Outdoor open burning in Noblesville is governed by §92.12 (Controlled Burning) of the Noblesville Fire Prevention Code (Ord. 50-10-09) and, in Noblesville Township and beyond, 326 IAC 4-1 (Indiana Department of Environmental Management / IDEM Open Burning Rule) plus 2008 Indiana Fire Code (InFC) 307. §92.12(A) prohibits burning of any rubbish, trash, garbage, yard waste, leaves, construction materials, tree limbs, shrubbery trimmings, or dangerous materials inside City limits at any time. §92.12(B) carves out narrow exemptions, all requiring prior approval (Open Burn Permit) from the Fire Chief: (1) Twelfth Night Ceremonies, school pep rallies, scouting activities, and recreational/cooking fires; and (3) burning of natural-disaster refuse, fire training, emergency burning of spilled petroleum, prescribed prairie/native vegetation burns per 326 IAC 4, agricultural burning per 326 IAC 4-1-3, and dignified American flag burning by approved organizations (VFW, American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Elk's Lodge, BSA, GSA). §92.12(C) (Non-Residential Burning) requires a stationary incinerator meeting IDEM standards, operating only between 7:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. §92.99(D) sets the penalty at up to $200.00 per day, each day a separate violation.
Noblesville Code Chapter 92 (Fire Prevention Code) governs all outdoor burning within the NFD's jurisdiction (City of Noblesville and Noblesville Township). §92.12(A) is the baseline prohibition: "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) (exemptions with prior approval): (a) Twelfth Night Ceremonies; (b) school pep rallies; (c) scouting activities; (d) recreational/cooking fires. §92.12(B)(2) (mandatory conditions on all exempted fires): only wood products; attended at all times until extinguished; extinguished if causing pollution problem, nuisance, or fire hazard; no burning in unfavorable weather (temperature inversions, high winds, air stagnation); minimum 25 ft from any combustible material or structure. §92.12(B)(3) (specialty burns with prior approval): (a) natural-disaster refuse; (b) fire training; (c) emergency burning of spilled petroleum products; (d) highly-explosive or dangerous materials; (e) prescribed burning of native vegetation per IDEM and 326 IAC 4; (f) agricultural burning on agricultural properties per 326 IAC 4-1-3; (g) dignified American flag burning by VFW, American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Elk's Lodge, Boy Scouts of America, and Girl Scouts of America (cotton flags only; IDEM does not allow burning nylon flags - NFD encourages recycling). §92.12(B)(3)(h) authorizes the Fire Chief to require additional measures (standby personnel, standby apparatus, increased separation distances, specific burning containers) at the petitioner's expense. §92.12(C) (Non-Residential Burning) requires: (a) compliance with IDEM incinerator limits; (b) a stationary incinerator (no portable or homemade incinerators unless IDEM-approved); (c) burning only between 7:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M.; (d) incinerators operated per manufacturer specifications. §92.12(D) (Open Burning Permits) and §92.14(II)(B) require a no-cost Open Burn Permit issued by the NFD kept at the site during burning. §92.12(E) (Special Events with Open Flames) requires Fire Chief approval and authorizes denial if hazardous to bystanders, the community, or emergency responders. Under 326 IAC 4-1-3, residential burning is allowed in 1-4 unit buildings only between October 1 and May 15 and only for the purpose of heating using clean wood/paper in a noncombustible vented container with enclosed sides and bottom - burning is prohibited at apartments, condominiums, and mobile-home parks. Noblesville Township burners must give NFD at least 24 hours' prior notice if the pile exceeds 125 cubic feet (5x5x5).
Per §92.99(D), violations of §92.12 (Controlled Burning) are punishable upon conviction by a fine up to $200.00 per offense, with each day a separate violation. §92.99 Additional Fee Schedule confirms "Open Burning Violation $200.00/Day." The Fire Chief or his designee (§92.04(A)) is authorized to issue citations into the court having jurisdiction. IDEM may independently enforce 326 IAC 4-1 violations. NFD suppression units may be dispatched to extinguish unauthorized fires. The Fire Chief under §92.04(E) may order a stop-work or evacuation when fires constitute a clear and immediate hazard. Common violations: burning without an Open Burn Permit, burning prohibited materials (yard waste, leaves, trash, debris, treated wood, nylon flags), conducting fires within 25 ft of structures or combustibles (15 ft if in approved noncombustible container per InFC 307.4), unattended fires, burning during high winds or ozone action days, or operating non-residential burns outside 7:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M. or in non-stationary incinerators.
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