Illegal Disposal

Illegal dumping

Illegal dumping is disposal of waste in an unpermitted area. Typical dumpsites contain household trash, large bulky items such as appliances, furniture and tires as well as construction and demolition debris. Your waste is your responsibility. Whether or not you do the hauling, you must ensure it is never unlawfully deposited on your own or another’s property. If you spot dumping call the Shelby County Health Department 317-392-6470 or the state dumping toll free hotline 1-877-985-6556.

Trash and other non-recyclable materials must be disposed of at a state approved solid waste management facility. Two locations are available in Shelby County:

County Highway Garage Transfer Station, 1304 N Michigan Road, Shelbyville

CGS Landfill, 300 E 11380 N, Morristown

For hours of operation call 765-763-6258 or 1-800-453-5575

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Nuisance solid waste accumulation, dumping and littering

Here are the laws in effect in Shelby County. If you believe there is a violation contact the County Health Department 317-392-6470 or the County Plan Commission  317-392-6338.

Shelby County Zoning Ordinance

Click here to view ORDINANCE NO. 2004-12.

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Open Burning Information

Open burning

It is against the law in Indiana for citizens to open burn trash such as household waste, plastic, batteries, rubber, disposable diapers and painted or stained wood. In general, businesses may not open burn anything. Cities and towns may have more restrictive ordinances that the state’s open burning law. Before you open burn, call your local fire department or town government to find out.

According to state law, these rules must always be followed:

§         Only clean wood products may be burned.

§         Burning must be done during safe weather conditions.

§         Fires must be attended until completely extinguished.

§         Burning must be done during daylight hours and extinguished prior to sunset.

§         Fire fighting equipment adequate for the size of the fire must be nearby.

§         Burning on the ground is illegal. Use a noncombustible and ventilated burn barrel.

§         Open burning is not allowed at mobile, home parks, apartment complexes, or buildings of more than four dwelling units.

§         Fire must be extinguished if they create a fire hazard, nuisance, pollution problem or threat to public health.

§         Burning must comply with all other federal, state and local laws, rules and ordinances.

Some examples of permissible burning: (These are only a summary of the rules and should not be considered legal advice.)

State law does allow some open burning activities. Refer to state regulations in 326 IAC 4-1 and IC 13-17-9.

§         Recreational or ceremonial fires, such as barbecues, campfire and fires for scouting activities.

§         Some types of burning of vegetation from a farm, an orchard, nursery, cemetery, tree farm or drainage ditch.

If you witness illegal burning, contact your local fire department.

Here are the laws in effect in Shelby County. If you believe there is a violation contact the County Health Department 317-392-6470

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