Bonfire
means an outdoor fire utilized for ceremonial purposes.
Open burning
means the burning of materials wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber. Open burning does not include road flares, smudge pots and similar devices associated with safety or occupational uses typically considered open flames or recreational fires. For the purpose of this definition, a chamber shall be regarded as enclosed when, during the time combustion occurs, only apertures, ducts, stacks, flues or chimneys necessary to provide combustion air and permit the escape of exhaust gas are open.
Recreational fire
means an outdoor fire, burning materials other than rubbish, where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbeque grill or barbeque pit, and has a total fuel area of three (3) feet or less in diameter and two (2) feet or less in height, and used for pleasure, cooking, warmth, or similar purposes.
Trench burning
means a burning normally used for large amounts of debris remaining from the clearing of land and large construction projects.
(a) 
Any person violating any provision of this article shall be fined in accordance with the general penalty provided in section 1.01.009 of this code for each offense, and a separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.
(b) 
Such person is responsible for any costs associated with damage, negligence or extinguishments due to a fire that has gotten out of control or that must be extinguished due to violations of this article.
(a) 
Open burning shall not be allowed within the incorporated city limits unless the burning is performed under the conditions which meet all applicable state and local ordinances, and the adopted fire code of the city.
(b) 
If smoke or odors from open burning cause any disturbance to persons or traffic the fire must be immediately extinguished.
(c) 
Whenever the fire code official or police officer finds any open burning being performed in a dangerous or hazardous situation or in any manner contrary to the provisions of this article or the adopted fire code, the fire code official or police officer is authorized to have the fire immediately extinguished.
Permits shall be required for bonfires and trench burns. Permits shall be obtained at city hall and approved by the fire code official or code enforcement officer prior to issuance. Permits shall be kept on the premises designated therein at all times and shall be readily available for inspection by city officials.
Open burning shall not be allowed in the downtown fire district.
(a) 
Burning of yard waste.
In areas other than the downtown fire district, fires composed of only leaves and landscape and tree trimmings from general yard maintenance shall be allowed. The total fuel load area shall be six (6) feet or less in diameter and four (4) feet or less in height. These types of fires shall:
(1) 
Not be ignited prior to dawn.
(2) 
Be extinguished prior to dusk.
(3) 
Not be allowed when wind speeds equal 15 mph or greater.
(4) 
Be constantly attended by a person 17 years of age or older who has a charged water hose at the burn site.
(b) 
Burning garbage, trash or other waste prohibited.
There shall be no burning of domestic waste products such as garbage, trash, plastic materials, tires, shingles, construction scrap, demolition debris, etc., or other hazardous materials within the city limits at any time.
(c) 
Warming fires at construction sites.
Warming fires at construction sites shall be allowed if contained in 55-gallon metal containers with a fire extinguisher nearby. Only untreated wood may be used in the containers.
Agricultural burns shall not be allowed within the city limits.
Outdoor recreational fires are permitted during favorable weather conditions, including but not limited to wind speeds not greater than 15 mph, within these additional guidelines:
(1) 
Recreational fires may be conducted without permission from the fire marshal or someone designated in his absence within the city limits, and at any time of the day or night. Only wood and charcoal may be used for recreational fires.
(2) 
Recreational fires must be no larger than three (3) feet in diameter and no more than two (2) feet in height.
(3) 
All fires must be attended by a competent adult at all times until it is completely extinguished. A garden hose and water supply or other fire-extinguishing equipment must be on hand while burning. At no time will the fire be left burning or smoldering unattended.
(4) 
Fires left unattended must be extinguished.
(1984 Code, sec. 8.19; Ordinance 93-01 adopted 8/10/93; Ordinance 2003-29 adopted 1/13/04; Ordinance 2004-127 adopted 11/9/04; Ordinance 2015-107 adopted 7/14/15; Ordinance adopting 2017 Code)