Iowa Open Burning Rules and DNR Enforcement

Iowa Administrative Code 567—23.2 establishes statewide open burning restrictions enforced by the Department of Natural Resources. Prohibited materials include garbage, plastics, rubber, oil, tires, and treated wood. Allowed burns include landscape waste, tree limbs, recreational campfires, training fires, and certain agricultural burning. Burning is forbidden if it creates a nuisance, traffic hazard, or violates air quality standards. Cities are authorized to enact ordinances more restrictive than state rules and many ban burning entirely. The State Fire Marshal may issue burn bans during dry conditions under Iowa Code 100.40, which county sheriffs enforce throughout affected counties.

DNR violations carry civil penalties up to $10,000 per day. Burn ban violations during declared emergencies are simple misdemeanors punishable by fine.