Chapter 7
Fire Prevention and Fire Protection

Part 1
Rules Regulating Firefighting

§ 7-101.   No Interference

§ 7-102.   Engaging in Fire Prevention

§ 7-103.   Violations

Part 2
Outdoor Burning

§ 7-201.   Definitions

§ 7-202.   Prohibited Acts

§ 7-203.   Exemptions

§ 7-204.   Permits, Control and Extinguishments

§ 7-205.   Enforcement, Violations and Penalties

Part 3
Regulation of Fireworks

§ 7-301.   Definitions

§ 7-302.   Fireworks Prohibited; Exception

§ 7-303.   General

§ 7-304.   Permit Required for Display

§ 7-305.   Permit Application Process

§ 7-306.   Liability Insurance

§ 7-307.   Approved Displays

§ 7-308.   Qualifications of Operators

§ 7-309.   Display Site

§ 7-310.   Pre-Event Inspection

§ 7-311.   Storage of Fireworks at Display Site

§ 7-312.   Installation of Mortars

§ 7-313.   Handling of Shells

§ 7-314.   Display Supervision

§ 7-315.   Fire Department Standby

§ 7-316.   Post-Display Inspection

§ 7-317.   Disposal

§ 7-318.   Cancellation or Postponement

§ 7-319.   Violations and Penalties

§ 7-320.   Appeal Process

Part 1 Rules Regulating Firefighting

§ 7-101. No Interference .

   No person, partnership, corporation or organization shall interfere with or participate in any way in firefighting activities in Dover Township or respond to any alarm of fire in Dover Township unless such person, partnership, or organization is requested to so participate or respond by the Dover Township Fire Chief or his duly appointed assistants.

(Ord. 91-1, 9/9/1991, § 5.31; as amended by Ord. 2005-08, 10/24/2005)

§ 7-102. Engaging in Fire Prevention .

   Nothing contained in this Part shall be construed to prevent or discourage any individual person or industrial fire brigade from engaging in fire prevention or in emergency firefighting prior to the arrival of the Dover Township Fire Chief or his duly appointed assistants at the scene of a fire.

(Ord. 91-1, 9/9/1991, § 5.32; as amended by Ord. 2005-08, 10/24/2005)

§ 7-103. Violations .

   For a violation of any provision of this Part enforcement shall be brought before a magisterial district judge in the same manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure. Upon conviction thereof, a violator shall be subject to a criminal fine not to exceed $1,000 per violation plus costs, to a term of imprisonment to the extent allowed by law for the punishment of summary offenses, or to a term of imprisonment for the failure to pay a fine pursuant to the Pen nsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure. A separate offense shall arise for each day or portion thereof in which a violation is found to exist or for each Section of this Code or other ordinance which is found to have been violated.

(Ord. 91-1, 9/9/1991, § 5.33; as amended by Ord. 2005-08, 10/24/2005)

Part 2 Outdoor Burning

§ 7-201. Definitions .

   As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

      Person - any natural person, partnership, association, firm, company, or corporation or other entity.

      Permit - as issued by the Dover Township Board of Supervisors or its representative, which clearly identifies the property, its zoning district, location, and responsible parties. A permit shall be valid for such time as established the Township and may be changed by resolution of the Board of Supervisors from time to time. No permit shall be issued under this Part until the sum in an amount as established from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors shall be paid.

(Ord. 2006-03, 7/24/2006; as amended by Ord. 2016-04, 5/23/2016)

§ 7-202. Prohibited Acts .

   1.   It shall be prohibited to conduct outdoor burning in any zoning district other than the Conservation (CV) District and the Agricultural (A) District within Dover Township.

   2.   No person under the age of 18 shall be permitted to regulate, manage or control an outdoor burning.

   3.   No person shall conduct an outdoor burning between sunset and sunrise.

   4.   No person shall conduct an outdoor burning within 150 feet of any building.

   5.   No person shall conduct an outdoor burning within 25 feet of any adjoining property line.

   6.   No person shall conduct a burning on any public or private street, street right-of-way, alley, road or highway.

   7.   No person shall conduct a burning of any item, at any time, for the purpose of disposal, that may be accommodated through services provided by the Township or a designee including, but not limited to, household garbage, furniture, wire for the purpose of removing insulation, dead animals, automobiles, automobile parts, tires, structures that have been previously burned, recyclables, leaf waste and large item pickup.

   8.   No person shall conduct a burning consisting of construction residue and waste.

(Ord. 2006-3, 7/24/2006; as amended by Ord. 2014-07, 10/27/2014, §1; by Ord. 2016-04, 5/23/2016; and by Ord. 2020-03, 3/23/2020)