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Indianola council directs staff to draft recreational-burning ordinance tied to 2018 International Fire Code
Summary
After staff review, the council directed city staff to draft code amendments to allow recreational fires under defined parameters (per the 2018 International Fire Code), to add clearer public guidance and enforcement measures, and to return for formal readings in May.
The Indianola City Council directed staff to prepare amendments to the city's open-burning code to allow regulated recreational fires and to strengthen enforcement and public education.
City staff said the current ordinance has limited enforcement "teeth" and that spring and fall see repeated complaints about yard burning and burn pits. The staff presentation recommended using parameters from the 2018 International Fire Code (IFC) to define permissible recreational fires such as small fire rings and campfires, while retaining permitting and inspection for larger bonfires.
Captain Eller of the fire department summarized research from neighboring communities and said that jurisdictions that adopted recreational-burning platforms often saw fewer false alarm responses and less abuse because residents had a clear, lawful alternative. He said the proposed code would add explicit measurements and safety requirements and that the city would publish a plain-language guidance page on the public safety web page.
Under the staff proposal discussed at the meeting, examples of clarifications include minimum clearances (25 feet from structures and property lines for certain fire rings), maximum sizes (fire rings limited in diameter and height), required attendance and extinguishing equipment on site, and a permitting and inspection process for bonfires. Staff said fuels would be limited (no leaves, wet wood, painted wood, or green tree material) and that recreational fires would be more lenient than permitted bonfires. The fire department described enforcement fines: an initial citation at $250, with subsequent fines rising to $500 for repeat offenses.
Council members generally supported the direction and asked staff to return with code amendments for formal readings in May. Staff said they would coordinate public education and suggested displaying a demonstration at an open house to show safe burning practices.
No formal ordinance vote took place at the meeting; staff were directed to draft amendments and return to council for first reading and subsequent action.
