A. No development shall be carried out in vegetated areas of the town which are classified as a moderate, high or extreme hazard as defined in Subsection B below unless such development complies with the following standards:
(1) All proposed development, or units or sections thereof, of 25 dwelling units or more will have two access ways of a width and surface composition sufficient to accommodate and support fire-fighting equipment.
(2) All dead-end roads will terminate in a manner which provides safe and efficient entry and exit for fire equipment.
[Amended 4-10-1989 by Ord. No. 7-1989]
(3) The rights-of-way of all roads will be maintained so that they provide an effective firebreak.
(4) A fire-hazard fuel break is provided around structures proposed for human use by the selective removal of thinning of trees, bushes, shrubs and ground cover as follows:
(a) In moderate fire-hazard areas, a fuel break of 30 feet measured outward from the structure in which:
[1] Shrubs, under story trees and bushes and ground cover are to be selectively removed, mowed or pruned on an annual basis.
[2] All dead plant material is removed.
(b) In high fire-hazard areas, a fuel break of 75 feet measured outward from the structure in which:
[1] Shrubs, under story trees and bushes and ground cover are to be selectively removed, mowed or pruned and maintained on an annual basis.
[2] All dead plant material is removed.
(c) In extreme high-hazard areas, a fuel break of 100 feet measured outward from the structure in which:
[1] Shrubs, under story trees and bushes and ground cover are to be selectively removed, mowed or pruned and maintained on an annual basis.
[2] No pine tree (Pinus spp.) is closer than 25 feet to another pine tree.
[3] All dead plant material is removed.
(5) All residential developments of 100 dwelling units or more in high or extreme high hazard areas will have a two-hundred-foot perimeter fuel break between all structures and the forest in which:
(a) Shrubs, under story trees and bushes and ground cover are selectively removed, mowed or pruned and maintained on an annual basis.
(b) All dead plant material is removed.
(c) Roads, rights-of-way, wetlands and waste disposal sites shall be used as fire breaks to the maximum extent practical.
(d) There is a specific program for maintenance.
(6) All structures will meet the following specifications:
(a) Roofs and exteriors will be constructed of fire-resistant materials such as asphalt rag-felt roofing, tile, slate, asbestos cement shingles, sheet iron, aluminum or brick. Fire-retardant-treated wood shingles or shake type roofs are prohibited in high or extreme fire hazard area.
[Amended 4-10-1989 by Ord. No. 7-1989]
(b) All projections such as balconies, decks and roof gables shall be constructed of fire-resistant materials or materials treated with fire-retardant chemicals.
(c) Any openings in the roof, attic and the floor shall be screened.
(d) Chimneys and stovepipes which are designed to burn solid or liquid fuels shall be equipped with screens over the outlets.
(e) Flat roofs are prohibited in areas where vegetation is higher than the roof.
B. The following classifications of fire hazards shall be defined as:
[Amended 4-10-1989 by Ord. No. 7-1989; 6-12-1989 by Ord. No. 19-1989]
Hazard Vegetation Types
Low Atlantic White Cedar and Hardwood Swamps
Moderate Nonpine barrens forest Prescribed burned areas
High Pine barrens forest, including mature forms of pine, pine-oak or oak-pine
Extreme Immature or dwarf forms of pine-oak or oak pine; all classes of pine-scrub oak and pine-lowland
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