[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Mahoning 11-8-2010. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Open burning — See Ch. 104.
Uniform construction codes — See Ch. 111.
Zoning — See Ch. 250.
As used in this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated:
CHIMNEY
Any vertical structure enclosing a flue or flue(s) that carry off smoke or exhaust from an outdoor furnace.
FUEL
Any solid material used as fuel to produce energy and provide heating, usually released through combustion. Commercial fuels include wood, charcoal, peat, coal, and pellets made from woods, corn, wheat, rye and other grains.
OUTDOOR FURNACE
Any equipment, device, appliance or apparatus which is installed, affixed or situated outdoors which is used for the primary purpose of combustion of fuel to produce heat or energy used as a component of a heating system providing heat for any interior space or water source. For purposes of this chapter, outdoor furnaces shall be considered to be accessory uses.
The Township Zoning Officer shall, or any other duly appointed agent of Mahoning Township shall, have the power and duty to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
Outdoor furnaces may be permitted as an accessory use in all areas of the Township, but shall be subject to the requirements outlined below:
A. 
Applicability. The regulations of this section shall apply to all outdoor furnaces situated within Mahoning Township, but shall exclude the following:
(1) 
Grills or cooking stoves using charcoal, wood, propane or natural gas; or
(2) 
Stoves, fireplaces, furnaces or other heating devices located within a building or structure used for human or animal habitation.
B. 
Existing furnaces. Outdoor furnaces that were installed prior to the effective date of this chapter may continue to be operated, provided that they meet the following standards:
(1) 
All existing outdoor furnaces that do not meet the yard or setback requirements of this chapter shall be considered existing nonconforming structures.
(2) 
If an existing outdoor furnace becomes a verifiable nuisance, as defined by local or state law, the following steps shall be taken to correct or abate such nuisance:
(a) 
The unit shall be modified by the owner to eliminate the nuisance by extending the chimney or relocating the furnace, or both; or
(b) 
Operation of the unit shall be discontinued until reasonable steps can be taken to ensure the furnace will not be a nuisance.
(3) 
Replacement furnaces shall comply with all requirements of this chapter, including setback and chimney requirements.
C. 
Setback requirements. All new outdoor furnaces shall be set back in accordance with the following requirements regardless of where they are to be located:
(1) 
All outdoor furnaces shall be located on the property in compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations with respect to clearance for combustible materials. Due consideration shall also be given to prevailing wind directions when locating any furnace.
(2) 
No outdoor furnace shall be located in front of the building to which it is accessory.
(3) 
Outdoor furnaces shall be set back at least 25 feet from all side and rear property lines.
(4) 
Furnaces shall be located at least 100 feet from any residence other than the dwelling served by the furnace.
D. 
Furnace use and installation standards.
(1) 
General regulations.
(a) 
All furnaces shall comply with emission standards established for outdoor furnaces by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). All such emission standards currently required by the EPA, or as may hereafter be amended or modified, are included by reference in this chapter.
(b) 
Ashes or waste generated by the furnace may be disbursed on the property where the unit is located, however, all such applications shall meet the requirements established by the PA Department of Environmental Protection.
(c) 
Any person utilizing or maintaining an outdoor furnace shall be responsible for any and all fire suppression costs and any other liability resulting from damage caused by a fire.
(2) 
Materials that may be burned. Only natural untreated wood, wood pellets, charcoal, peat, coal and similar materials, including pellets made from corn, wheat, rye and other grains, may be burned in a new or existing outdoor furnace. Burning of any other materials shall be prohibited. In particular, the following materials may not be burned: (See also Subsection E below.)
(a) 
Wood that has been painted, varnished or coated with similar material or has been pressure treated with preservatives and contains resins or glues as in plywood or other composite wood products;
(b) 
Rubbish or garbage, including but not limited to food wastes, food packaging, or food wraps, animal carcasses, shingles, demolition debris, or other household or business wastes;
(c) 
Any plastic material, including but not limited to nylon, PVC, ABS, polystyrene or urethane foam, and synthetic fabrics, plastic films and plastic containers;
(d) 
Rubber, including tires or other synthetic rubber-like products;
(e) 
Newspaper, cardboard, or other paper with ink or dye products;
(f) 
Waste oil or other oily wastes;
(g) 
Asphalt and products containing asphalt; and
(h) 
Any other items not specifically recommended by the unit manufacturer.
E. 
Chimney requirements.
(1) 
All outdoor furnaces installed subsequent to enactment of these regulations shall have a minimum chimney height of 20 feet above the average finished grade of the site upon which the furnace is located.
(2) 
All chimneys shall be firmly secured to prevent toppling and shall be fitted with a spark arrestor.
(3) 
A draft-induced blower shall be installed on the chimney to create a positive draft.
After the effective date of this chapter, no person shall construct, install, establish or maintain any outdoor furnace without first obtaining a permit from the Township.
Any person who violates or permits a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding commenced by the Township before a District Justice, pay a fine of not less than $500 plus all court costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred by the Township in the enforcement of this chapter. No judgment shall be imposed until the date of the determination of the violation by the District Justice. If the defendant neither pays nor timely appeals the judgment, the Township may enforce the judgment pursuant to the applicable Rules of Civil Procedure. Each day that a violation exists shall constitute a separate offense. Further, the appropriate officers or agents of the Township are hereby authorized to seek equitable relief, including injunction, to enforce compliance herewith.