Who doesn’t enjoy a good backyard fire pit on a cool evening? The Iowa City Fire Department has tips on how you can enjoy the outdoors with your own fire pit safely and legally.
Iowa City fire pit regulations
- Fire pits must be a specific measurement.
- Fire pits must be at least four inches in depth and must be surrounded on the outside, above ground, by a non-combustible material.
- They cannot exceed three feet in diameter. The pile of wood for the fire must not exceed two feet in height.
- Make sure you are only burning natural firewood or commercial logs in your fire pit.
- Remember: burning lumber, pallets, scrap wood, tree trimmings, leaves, yard waste, paper, cardboard, garbage, and similar items is not permitted in Iowa City.
- The fire must be constantly attended and supervised until the fire has been completely extinguished.
- Fire pits are able to run from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- A portable fire extinguisher or other approved extinguishing equipment, such as a garden hose, must be readily available.
- If you see someone breaking City open burn ordinances...
- A simple reminder to your neighbors of the City's fire pit regulations can potentially save emergency personnel a trip.
- To place a report with public safety, call the Joint Emergency Communication Center (JECC) at 319-356-6800.
For more information about open burns and fire pits in Iowa City, visit our website.