Can You Burn Leaves and Yard Waste in Boise Idaho?

Are You Allowed to Burn Leaves and Other Fall Yard Waste in Boise?

The short answer is no. You cannot burn leaves or yard debris inside Boise city limits. There are some allowances for fence lines and ditches as long as you have a permit. And Boise Fire regulations allow small recreational fires using clean firewood in a contained pit. But that's it. The city can also shut off open burning when the Air Quality Index reaches 60 or higher.

Read More: 9 Items Banned From Fireplaces in Idaho

Why Boise Says No to Burning Yard Waste in City Limits

If you grew up somewhere rural like Twin Falls, where you can burn with a permit, Boise’s restrictions can feel a bit regulated at first. It is not personal, if you do the math. Pack a lot of people into a relatively small area, add winter inversions, and you get smoke that sticks and turns nasty fast. Leaf and grass smoke is heavy on fine particles that hang low... especially during an inversion. Idaho’s Department of Environmental Quality is clear that leaves and grass clippings are not be burned.

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Where to Take Yard Waste in Boise

Start with your compost cart. Leaves, grass, weeds, trimmings, and small branches are all good to go in with your weekly pickup. If you run out of room, you may set up to ten paper leaf bags next to the cart. Just leave some space so the crew can lift and dump them. No extra stickers are needed, and the city will take those bags every week.

Yard Waste Drop Off Sites in Boise

Each fall the city opens leaf drop sites at select parks with dumpsters marked for leaves only. Bag your leaves in paper bags and watch for the season’s drop locations on the Boise City website. If you have a truckload of branches or a big cleanup, the Ada County Landfill on Seamans Gulch Road is open most days and can take yard waste loads. Check hours before you go.