Burning Regulations
Q: What are the open burning requirements? A: Open burning is allowed between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., or until dark, whichever occurs first, Monday through Friday, and from 7:00 a.m. until noon Saturday. No burning is allowed on Sundays, or City holidays (Good Friday, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day).Burning is limited to single-family dwellings, except upon written permission from the Fire Chief or Fire Marshal. Materials that may be burned are limited to vegetation that grows or has grown on the peoperty, or that is deposited there by the elements. Burning of garbage is absolutely prohibited. If burning is done outside of a covered container, a minimum distance of 50' from a building must be maintained; if done in a covered container, a miniumum distance of 15' to a building must be maintained. The fire must be constantly supervised by a competent person equipped with a satisfactory means of control, such as a garden hose connected to a water supply. Burning on public streets, alleys, or the property of another is prohibited. These regulations do not apply to recreational fires, such as barbecues. Good judgement as to wind conditions and creating a nuisance to a neighbor should also be exercised.
Any violation of the rules concerning prohibited burning and open burning, which requires a response by the Marshalltown Fire Department to control or extinguish such combustion, will be subject to a response fee of $100.00 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense, and $300 for the third offense as established by Ordinance of the City of Marshalltown, Iowa.
Q: What are the requirements for having a recreational fire? A: Recreational Fire means an outdoor fire burning seasoned hardwood contained in appliances specifically designed for this purpose, with a total fuel area of three (3) feet or less in diameter and two (2) feet or less in height, for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth, or similar purposes.Recreational burning shall be allowed for food preparation and camping purposes or as defined in the definition section. The material to be burned is limited to seasoned wood, and the fire shall comply with all other applicable state and local codes related to open burning.
- All recreational fires shall be contained in appliances specifically designed for this purpose. Recreational fires shall be located no less than 15 feet from any structure. The responsible party must provide means to control flying embers.
- All recreatonal fires shall be extinguished by methods that will ensure all remaining embers are completely extinguished. Recreational fires shall be extinguished by 2:00 a.m.
- Municipal camping areas are exempt from the requirements of this section except the restrictions on size.
- Recreatonal fires are allowed year-round.
- Recreational burning that is offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor emissions or when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous shall be prohibited.
Hiring Practices
Q: What is your hiring process?A: The Fire Department is covered under Iowa Civil Service law. We generally will test for new hires at approximately 3-year intervals, unless we hire everyone off a list. The Civil Service Commission will certify a list of ten candidates from which we hire. The process includes an application with a $15.00 fee, a written test, physical agility test, and an oral interview. If an individual wishes to be included in the process, it is best for them to contact the Personnel Department with the City of Marshalltown (click Human Resources under Departments in our main menu for contact information). Because there is no set time frame for testing, Applicants can have their information added to our contact list to have an application sent to them when we open the testing process. It is important that Applicants keep their information updated if it changes.