(a) Declaration of Nuisance. No person shall permit or cause the escape of such quantities of dust, gases, mists, vapors or smoke in such places or manner as to be detrimental to any person or to the public, by endangering the health, comfort and safety of any person or of the public, or in such manner as to cause injury or damage to property or business. The unlawful escape of such matter is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and a violation of this chapter and, in addition to the penalties provided in Section 652.99, may be abated by the City of Reed City.
(1981 Code § 9.86)
(b) Prohibited Density. No person shall permit the emission of any smoke, from any source whatever, of density equal to or greater than the density described as No. 2 on the Ringelmann Smoke Chart, for periods aggregating six minutes or more in any sixty-minute period. The emission of such dense smoke is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and a violation of this chapter and, in addition to the penalty provided in Section 652.99, may be abated by the City. For the purpose of defining the term "dense smoke," which shall constitute a prohibited density hereunder, the standards established by the Ringelmann Smoke Chart are hereby adopted. Smoke of a density equal to or greater than the density described as number two on the Ringelmann Smoke Chart shall be considered and held to be "dense smoke" as the term is used in this chapter. (1981 Code § 9.87)
(c) Enforcing Officer. The Zoning Administrator, his or her designee, the Reed City Fire Department and Reed City Police Department are hereby charged with the enforcement of this Chapter.
(d) Use of Ringelmann Smoke Chart. Use of the Ringelmann Smoke Chart will be made by placing it at such a distance from the observer that the squares appear as even shades of coloring, or no white spaces between the lines are visible.
Comparison of the smoke under observation with the various shades of the Chart will then indicate the density of the smoke. Observation distances shall not be less than 100 feet nor more than one-quarter mile from the smoke observed. Whenever possible, all observations shall be made with the sun at the back of the person making such observations.
(e) Above ground fire pits and patio wood burning units are permitted in Reed City in accordance with this chapter and the following provisions:
(1) The fire pit or wood burning unit must be located a minimum of ten feet from any structure.
(2) The space above the fire is free of overhanging branches.
(3) The fire is conducted in a container constructed of metal or masonry that has a metal covering device that does not have an opening larger than 3/4 inch.
(4) All petroleum gas or propane gas units/burners must be UL listed or Canadian Standards Association certified.
(5) The fire must be attended at all times by an individual 18 years of age or older and shall remain in attendance until the fire is completely extinguished.
(6) An adequate method of extinguishing the fire must be present, such as a hose or fire extinguisher.
(1981 Code § 9.89) (Ord. 001-2022. Passed 3-21-22.)