Township of North Versailles, PA Chapter 100 Burning, Open

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of North Versailles 9-18-2008 by Ord. No. 1045. Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Fire prevention — See Ch. 145.

Parks and recreation — See Ch. 206.

Brush, grass and weeds — See Ch. 222, Art. I.

§ 100-1 Applicability.

This chapter applies to all outdoor burning and open burning within the Township of North Versailles.

A. This chapter does not apply to grilling or cooking food using charcoal, wood, propane or natural gas in cooking or grilling appliances.

B. This chapter does not apply to burning for the purpose of generating heat in a stove, furnace, fireplace or other heating device within a building used for human or animal habitation.

C. This chapter does not apply to the use of propane, acetylene, natural gas, gasoline or kerosene in a device intended for heating, construction or maintenance activities.

§ 100-2 Open burning of trees, logs, brush and stumps.

A. The Township of North Versailles shall allow the burning of clean, dry wood products only.

B. Said burning shall only be permitted in an approved outdoor rated fireplace, fire pit, chimenea or fifty-five-gallon drum.

C. No burning shall be permitted between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

D. All burning shall take place a minimum of 15 feet away from the nearest structure.

E. All outdoor burning/fires are to be attended at all times by an individual not less than 18 years of age.

F. Adequate means of fire extinguishment must be available at all times when outdoor burning is taking place.

G. Burning at construction sites for the purpose of providing warmth shall only be permitted if the weather is at or below 32° F. and said burning shall only take place in a fifty-five-gallon drum suitable for sustaining such fire.

H. Persons utilizing or maintaining an outdoor fire shall be responsible for all fire suppression costs and any other liability resulting from damage caused by the fire.

I. All allowed open burning shall be conducted in a safe, nuisance-free manner, when wind and weather conditions minimize adverse effects and do not create a health hazard or a visibility hazard on roadways, railroads or airfields. Open burning shall be conducted in conformance with all local and state fire protection regulations.

J. No materials may be burned upon any street, curb, gutter or sidewalk or on the ice of a lake, pond, stream, or water body.

K. The Fire Chief or any authorized officer, agent, employee or representative of the Township of North Versailles, who presents credentials, may inspect any property for the purpose of ascertaining compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

§ 100-3 Open burning of refuse.

A. As used in this chapter, "refuse" means any waste material including building supplies, garbage, grass and leaves. It does not include trees, logs, brush, stumps, and other vegetative matter.

B. Open burning of refuse from a residential, commercial or industrial establishment is prohibited.

§ 100-4 Suspension of open burning.

The Fire Marshal and the Township Board of Commissioners shall have the power to suspend open burning if they believe that such suspension is best for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of North Versailles.

§ 100-5 Violations and penalties.

The Township of North Versailles shall have the power to impose a fine of not more than $250 for each violation of this chapter.

§ 100-6 Authorization.

The Board of Commissioners for the Township of North Versailles is hereby authorized and directed to execute any and all documents necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.