Linn County, IA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing rule
- Permit required to burn landscape waste
- Location limit
- Burn only on property where generated
- City buffer
- Banned near Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, Marion
- Clearing debris
- Quarter-mile from inhabited buildings
- Buffer effective
- In force since January 1, 2009
Summary
In unincorporated Linn County, yard waste like grass, leaves and tree limbs may be burned under an open burning permit, but burning is banned near Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha and Marion.
Landscape wastes. Fires set for the disposal of landscape wastes including grass, leaves, weeds, trees, tree limbs, natural growth for land clearing, agricultural wastes, etc., providing these fires comply with section 10-60... The open burning of landscape waste is limited to the property where such waste is generated... No person shall allow, cause or permit the open burning of residential waste, including landscape waste and leaves, within the city limits of Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha or Marion, Iowa.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 16).
Full Breakdown
County Code § 10-63(a)(1)f permits burning of landscape waste, grass, leaves, weeds, tree limbs, land-clearing debris and agricultural waste, with an open burning permit, provided the fire stays on the property where the waste was generated and, for clearing or construction debris, at least one-quarter mile from any inhabited building. Under § 10-63(b), burning of landscape waste and leaves is banned outright within the city limits of Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha or Marion, and within one-half mile of those cities in areas zoned Urban Services Residential, a buffer that reaches much of the unincorporated land ringing Cedar Rapids.
Violations & Fines
Fires burned in violation of § 10-63, including unpermitted or out-of-zone landscape waste burns, may be ordered extinguished by the air pollution control officer, who may also pursue penalties under the article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn yard waste in unincorporated Linn County?
Can I burn leaves near Cedar Rapids?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Linn County
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