(A) Defined. OPEN BURNING is defined as the burning of any materials wherein air contaminants resulting from combustion are emitted directly into the air, without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber.
(B) Prohibition. No person shall start, kindle, cause, allow or maintain any form of open burning of any materials on private or public property, except as specifically authorized by this section. No person shall allow the accumulation or existence of combustible material that constitutes or contributes to open burning.
(C) Exemptions. The following types of burning are allowed:
(1) The burning of charcoal, clean untreated wood and other cooking fuels customarily used in an outdoor grill, traditional food cooking devices, or campfires, provided they are:
(a) Contained in a non-combustible container with a ventilated mesh covering containing openings no greater than one-quarter inch; and
(b) Placed at least 15 feet from any structure, trees or other objects that may catch fire; and
(c) Are attended at all times; and
(d) With a means to extinguish the fire at all times while burning.
(2) Fires used for recreational or ceremonial purposes such as school pep rally fires or other celebration or scout activities. Recreational or ceremonial burnings shall meet the following conditions:
(a) Only clean untreated wood or charcoal shall be used. Paper or petroleum products can be used for ignition purposes only;
(b) The fire shall not be ignited more than 2 hours before the recreational activity is to take place, and shall be extinguished upon the conclusion of the activity;
(c) The pile to be burned shall be less than 1,000 cubic feet (for example: 10 ft. x 10 ft. x 10 ft.);
(d) The local fire department shall be notified 24 hours in advance;
(e) The fire shall not be used for disposal purposes;
(f) The fire shall not be within 500 feet of a pipeline or fuel storage area.
(D) Illegal materials. It is illegal to include the following materials in an open burn: leaves, grass clippings, stumps, garbage or trash, waste lumber, furniture or mattresses, land-clearing debris, dead animals, tires, asbestos material, wire or hazardous material.
(1992 Code, § 6-8) (Ord. 975, § 1, passed 4-14-1998; Am. Ord. 1385, § 1, passed 12-3-2019) Penalty, see § 34.99