Outdoor Burning

Ottumwa residents are reminded that the burning of trash, garbage, household or commercial solid waste, recyclable materials, plastics, furniture, tires, appliances, building materials and waste oil is unlawful in the City of Ottumwa. The penalty for violation is a civil citation. The first offence in a 12-month period carries a $250 fine, second violation is $500, third and subsequent violations within the same 12-month period are $750 per violation. Beginning on May 1st, 2009, the Ottumwa Fire Department, Police Department and City Health Department Inspectors will all be actively issuing citations to all offenders.

Yard waste like leaves and branches are the only materials that can be disposed of by burning in the City. Residents who choose burn yard waste are reminded that the State Fire Code requires that outdoor fires must be under control and attended at all times. Adequate means for extinguishing must be readily available. Municipal code prohibits the burning of leaves or other debris in the street or on sidewalks. Leaf fires on pavement or sidewalks can cause damage to asphalt and concrete surfaces.

If the Ottumwa Fire Department receives a complaint about smoke, they investigate the source and, if necessary, put out the fire. If they receive repeated complaints about a specific offender, a citation can be issued. In addition, residents are encouraged to check the wind conditions and direction to help prevent smoke from blowing directly into neighboring residences and keep children and pets away from fires

Instead of burning, residents can recycle leaves and yard waste. Leaves and light debris can be placed in the Ottumwa/Wapello yard waste collection bags and put out for curbside collection. The Ottumwa/Wapello yard waste bags cost one dollar at local grocery stores. The cost covers the expense of hauling the debris to the Landfill. Residents can also haul leaves to the Landfill or Ottumwa Wapello Recycling Center for disposal at no cost.

Brush and tree limbs must be properly prepared to be collected. Brush and tree limbs set out for curbside collection must be cut into 36" lengths, bundled and tied into weights of less than 50 lb. Limbs cannot exceed 3" in diameter. Branches can also be disposed of at no charge at the Ottumwa/Wapello Landfill. Limbs and branches being disposed of at the Landfill do not need to be cut to length, however, all loads going to the Landfill must be covered.