[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the
Town of Rosendale 7-13-2005 by L.L. No. 1-2005.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building code administration and enforcement — See Ch. 27.
Unsafe buildings — See Ch. 28.
Heating appliances — See Ch. 43.
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law superseded former
Ch. 37, Fire Prevention, adopted 1-14-1976 by L.L. No. 1-1976; amended
in its entirety 9-9-1998 by L.L. No. 4-1998.
A.
The Town Board of the Town of Rosendale finds that
potential and/or actual damage from fire may be a problem to residents
of the Town of Rosendale and the general public and that such damages
may include destruction or loss of private and public property and
injury to and loss of human life. The purpose and intent of this chapter
is to encourage, support and provide fire prevention, firesafety,
fire control, and fire education within the Town of Rosendale.
B.
There is hereby enacted by the Town Board of the Town
of Rosendale, for the purpose of prescribing regulations governing
conditions hazardous to life and property from fire or explosion,
that certain code known as the "New York State Fire Prevention and
Building Code," of which code not fewer than three copies have been
and are now filed in the office of the Clerk of the Town of Rosendale,
and the same are hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set
out at length herein; and from the date of which this chapter shall
take effect, the provisions thereof shall be controlling within the
limits of the Town of Rosendale.
A.
The Fire Marshal in charge of the Bureau of Fire Prevention
shall be appointed by the Town Board of the Town of Rosendale on the
basis of his or her qualifications. The Fire Marshal's appointment
shall continue for a period of one year, and he or she shall not be
removed except for cause. The Fire Marshal may succeed himself or
herself for one or more additional terms.
B.
To assist the Fire Marshal in his or her duties, one
or more Deputy Fire Marshals may be appointed by the Town Board of
the Town of Rosendale on the basis of examination to determine his
or her respective qualifications. His or her term shall be for a period
of one year. Appointees may succeed themselves.
C.
The office of the Fire Marshal shall be salaried,
and the Deputy Fire Marshal may be salaried, which shall be fixed
and determined by the Town Board.
A.
The Fire Marshal shall have all the duties, exclusively,
of the Fire Inspector of the Town of Rosendale, and the Fire Marshal
and any other governmental agency may detail such members as nonpaid
inspectors from the fire companies of the fire districts and fire
protection districts within the Town as shall from time to time be
necessary. The Fire Marshal may recommend to the Town Board of the
Town of Rosendale the employment of technical inspectors who, when
such authorization is made, shall be selected in accordance with their
fitness for the position. Appointments shall be open to members and
nonmembers of the Fire Department, and appointments shall be made
for a definite term stipulated by the Town Board upon the recommendation
of the Fire Marshal.
B.
Except as otherwise specifically provided by law,
ordinance or regulation, or except as herein otherwise provided, the
Fire Marshal shall administer and enforce all of the provisions of
laws, ordinances and regulations applicable to fire prevention and
firesafety within the Town of Rosendale.
C.
The Fire Marshal shall have the power to recommend
to the Town Board the adoption of rules to secure the intent and purposes
of this chapter and a proper enforcement of the laws, ordinances and
regulations governing fire prevention and firesafety.
D.
The Fire Marshal shall receive applications and issue
permits in accordance with this chapter and shall examine premises
and sites for which applications have been issued for the purpose
of insuring compliance with laws, ordinances and regulations governing
fire prevention and firesafety. The Fire Marshal shall have the authority
to promulgate the content of the applications and conditions of the
permits that shall be used in the furtherance of this chapter.
E.
The Fire Marshal may require the performance of tests
in the field by experienced, professional persons or by accredited
and authoritative testing laboratories or service bureaus by agencies
whenever necessary or appropriate to assure compliance with provision
of applicable laws, ordinances and regulations covering fire prevention
and firesafety.
A.
The Fire Marshal shall keep permanent official records
of all transactions and activities conducted by him or her, including
all applications received, permits and certificates issued, fees charged
and collected, inspection reports and notices and orders issued. All
such records shall be public records open to public inspection during
business hours.
B.
A report by the Fire Marshal shall be made annually
and transmitted to the Supervisor of the Town. It shall contain all
proceedings under this code, with such statistics as the Fire Marshal
may wish to include therein together with a summary of all business
conducted by the Fire Marshal, including permits and certificates
issued, fees collected, orders and notices promulgated, inspections
and tests made and appeals or litigation pending.
[Amended 2-9-2011 by L.L. No. 1-2011]
As used in this chapter and code, the following terms shall
have the meanings indicated:
A structure donated or loaned from a property owner for the
purpose of conducting fire training.
The land and on-farm buildings, equipment, manure processing
and handling facilities, and practices that contribute to the production,
preparation and marketing of crops, livestock and livestock products
as a commercial enterprise, including a commercial horse boarding
operation and timber processing. Such farm operation may consist of
one or more parcels of owned or rented land, which parcels may be
contiguous or noncontiguous to each other.
Any waste from naturally grown products, such as vines, trees
and branches from orchards, leaves and stubble; in addition, any fully
organic waste either grown or generated on the premises, including
but not limited to paper feed bags, wood shavings used for livestock
bedding, bailing twine, and other nonplastic materials. "Agricultural
waste" does not include pesticide containers, fertilizer bags, large
plastic storage bags (including bags commonly known as "Ag bags"),
offal, tires, plastic feed bags, and other plastic or synthetic materials.
The Town of Rosendale Building Inspector, who is known by
New York State as a Code Enforcement Officer.
A campfire or any other outdoor open fire less than two feet
in height and less than two feet in length and width or diameter.
The Fire Marshal or "Marshal."
The Town Attorney or Attorney for the Town.
The Town of Rosendale.
The burning of material, grown or generated on a particular
property, in an open fire on the same property. For purposes of this
definition, the same property shall include only property that is
geographically contiguous and under the control or ownership of the
same person.
Any outdoor fire or outdoor smoke-producing process from
which air contaminants are emitted directly into the outdoor atmosphere.
"Open fires" include burning in barrels or modified barrels. "Open
fires" do not include burning in outdoor furnaces or boilers that
are used to heat buildings when the devices are actually used for
such purpose.
Includes any wood or lumber which is not chemically treated,
coated, stained, sealed, glued or otherwise adulterated. "Untreated
wood" does not include such materials as pressure-treated lumber,
plywood, particle board, fiberboard, and oriented strand board.
[Amended 2-9-2011 by L.L. No. 1-2011]
[Amended 2-9-2011 by L.L. No. 1-2011]
Burning in an open fire, provided it is not contrary to other law or regulation, shall be allowed as follows with the permit required by § 37-8 of this chapter:
A.
On-site burning within the Town of downed limbs and branches (including
branches with attached leaves or needles) less than six inches in
diameter and eight feet in length between May 15 and the following
March 15.
B.
Barbeque grills, maple sugar arches and similar outdoor cooking devices
when actually used for cooking and processing food.
C.
Small fires used for cooking and campfires, provided that only charcoal
or untreated wood is used as fuel, the fire is not left unattended
until extinguished and the fire is less than two feet in height and
less than two feet in length and width or diameter.
D.
On-site burning of agricultural wastes as part of a valid agricultural
operation on contiguous agricultural lands larger than five acres
actively devoted to agricultural or horticultural use, provided such
waste is actually grown or generated on those lands and such waste
is capable of being fully burned within a twenty-four-hour period.
E.
The use of liquid-petroleum-fueled smudge pots to prevent frost damage
to crops.
F.
Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires where not otherwise prohibited
by law, provided that only untreated wood or other agricultural products
are used as fuel and the fire is not left unattended until extinguished.
G.
Small fires that are used to dispose of a flag or religious item,
and small fires or other smoke-producing processes where not otherwise
prohibited by law that are used in connection with a religious ceremony.
H.
Burning on an emergency basis of explosive or other dangerous or
contraband materials by police or other public safety organization.
I.
Prescribed burns performed according to Part 194 of the New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation's regulations.
J.
Fire training, including firefighting, fire rescue, and fire/arson
investigation training, performed under applicable rules and guidelines
of the New York State Department of State's Office of Fire Prevention
and Control. For fire training performed on acquired structures, the
structures must be emptied and stripped of any material that is toxic,
hazardous or likely to emit toxic smoke (such as asbestos, asphalt
shingles and vinyl siding or other vinyl products) prior to burning
and must be at least 300 feet from other occupied structures. No more
than one structure per lot or within a three-hundred-foot radius (whichever
is bigger) may be burned in a training exercise.
K.
Individual open fires as approved by the Director of the Division
of Air Resources as may be required in response to an outbreak of
a plant or animal disease upon request by the Commissioner of the
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, or for the destruction
if invasive plant and insect species.
L.
Individual open fires that are otherwise authorized under the New
York State Environmental Conservation Law or by rule or regulation
of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
[Amended 2-9-2011 by L.L. No. 1-2011]
A.
Permit. No person shall prepare or start an open fire falling within one or more of the exceptions set forth in § 37-7A, D, E and H through L of this chapter without applying for and obtaining a permit from the Town of Rosendale Fire Marshal or one of his deputies as set forth herein. A permit application must be completed for the exception set forth in § 37-7F as the Town of Rosendale Fire Marshal may exercise his discretion and require a permit for such open fire. Permit applications must be accompanied by a permit fee of $15, payable to the Town of Rosendale. Exceptions set forth in § 37-7B, C and G do not require a permit.
B.
Conditions
for open fires with permits.
(1)
No permit shall be issued and no open fire shall be started until
the Rosendale Fire Marshal or one of his deputies has conducted an
inspection of the site proposed for the open fire.
(2)
Open fires must be set back a minimum distance of 25 feet from any
structure. This condition is not meant to and does not supersede greater
setbacks required by this chapter.
(3)
No person shall burn treated paper and paper products, treated wood,
construction and demolition debris, rubber, plastics, paints, varnishes,
metals, oil, oil by-products or any materials containing such materials.
Tires, fuel oil or similar materials which cause visible emissions
shall not be used to ignite or sustain an open fire.
(4)
The permit holder shall notify the Ulster County 9-1-1 Center prior
to starting any open fire and when the open fire has been extinguished.
(5)
An open fire shall only be started or occur on the days set forth
in the permit and must occur between May 15 and the following March
15. No open fire shall be started or occur before 6:00 a.m. or after
6:00 p.m. or take place on any federal or state holiday or any Sunday.
Exceptions can be made to this condition, but they must be made in
writing by the Rosendale Fire Marshal or one of his deputies.
(6)
The permit shall only be issued to the owner(s) of the real property
on which the open fire shall occur or to the owner's(s')
designated agent. The permit is only valid for the location and real
property specified in the permit, which must be within the boundaries
of the Town of Rosendale.
(7)
The permit must be at the location of the open fire while the burning
is occurring and must be shown on request to any Town of Rosendale
fire or police official.
(8)
The permit holder or his designated agent must be at the location
of the open fire while the burning is occurring. No open fire shall
be left while it is active or until it is completely and entirely
extinguished. Any burned debris that continues to emit smoke is considered
an active fire.
(9)
For each permit issued pursuant to this chapter, only one pile of
burnable material may be ignited and burned at any time and shall
be of an appropriate size that can be managed properly.
(10)
A permit issued pursuant to this chapter may only be used when prevailing
winds are light and the transmission of smoke is away from populated
areas. The permit holder must immediately and completely extinguish
the open fire if prevailing winds change direction, or increase in
intensity, to a point that jeopardizes the ability of the permit holder
to control the fire or directs smoke to the surrounding population.
An open fire shall not cause a contravention of any applicable air
quality standards and shall not cause emissions of air contaminants
to the outdoor atmosphere of such quality, characteristic or duration
which are injurious to human, plant or animal life or to property
or which unreasonably interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of
life or property.
(11)
Any permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall be suspended during
any period of air pollution episode as determined by the New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation. Any permit issued
pursuant to this chapter shall also be suspended during any period
of "high fire danger" as announced by the New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation for and applicable to Ulster County
or as determined by Rosendale Fire Marshal or one of his deputies.
The permit shall be suspended until such time as the period of air
pollution episode or "high fire danger" no longer exists, as determined
by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and/or
the Rosendale Fire Marshal or one of his deputies.
(12)
The permit holder shall have sufficient means to control or extinguish
the fire at all times. Heavy equipment capable of constructing an
adequate fire lane or a working garden hose, sufficient means to deliver
water, brooms and hand tools such as shovels and rakes and hoes are
considered necessary control measures at the site of any open fire.
Sufficient personnel must be present at the site at all times to control
the fire.
(13)
Material to be burned in the open fire will be isolated to prevent
the fire from moving beyond or escaping the pile created for the open
fire. No fire shall be lit until all flammable material has been removed
from the fire's perimeter as is necessary to prevent its spread.
The pile of material to be burned shall be small enough to maintain
control at all times.
(14)
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers
or officers or Town of Rosendale, Tillson, Cottekill or High Falls
Fire Companies or Bloomington Fire Department officers or Town of
Rosendale police officers or the Building Inspector, acting pursuant
to his or her regular or special duties, may extinguish an open fire
or order the permit holder to immediately extinguish any open fire
whenever the conditions of any permit issued pursuant to this chapter
are violated or when a period of "high fire danger" or air pollution
episode exists. When an open fire has been extinguished pursuant to
this condition, no further burning is authorized or permitted pursuant
to the permit without the written approval of the Rosendale Fire Marshal
or one of his deputies after 48 hours has passed. The Rosendale Fire
Marshal or one of his deputies may suspend or revoke the permit for
any permit violation and failure to comply with its conditions.
(15)
The permit holder shall be liable for any and all damage to the property
of another, or injury to any person, resulting directly or indirectly
from any fires ignited or conducted pursuant to this chapter and any
smoke resulting therefrom. Should it become necessary to extinguish
an open fire permitted pursuant to this chapter, the permit holder
may be held civilly or criminally liable for any and all suppression
costs and/or damages resulting therefrom. The permit holder shall
be liable for the full and entire amount of any suppression costs
incurred by any and all fire companies and/or departments responding
to a call to suppress, control or extinguish the aforesaid open fire.
(16)
In placing his or her signature on any permit issued pursuant to
this chapter, a permit holder agrees to indemnify and save and hold
harmless the Town of Rosendale and all of its officers, agents, employees
and volunteers from and against any and all liability of any type
whatsoever, including but not limited to any and all damages, expenses,
causes of action, lawsuits, claims, penalties, fines, assessments
or judgments related thereto, arising out of or occurring in connection
with the aforesaid permit.
(17)
Permits issued pursuant to this chapter are not transferable or assignable.
[Added 2-9-2011 by L.L. No. 1-2011]
A.
Inspection. In order to determine compliance with any open fire permits
issued pursuant to this chapter, the Rosendale Fire Marshal or one
of his deputies is authorized to enter, inspect and examine any real
property upon which the fire is proposed.
B.
Enforcement. The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the Rosendale Fire Marshal or one of his deputies. Failure to obtain a permit or follow the conditions set forth in §§ 37-7 and 37-8 of this chapter is a violation of law. Conducting an open fire during a suspension or revocation of a permit issued under this chapter is considered burning without a permit and is punishable by law. The Rosendale Fire Marshal shall have the authority to issue an appearance ticket under the New York State Penal Law with respect to any violations of this chapter. The Rosendale Fire Marshal shall also have the authority, with the permission of the Town Board, to initiate a civil action to recover all Town suppression costs and/or damages resulting therefrom and/or to obtain injunctive relief to prevent further violations of this chapter. The Rosendale Fire Marshal may, in his discretion, initiate both criminal and civil proceedings in response to the same violation(s).
C.
Penalties. Any person who shall violate any open fire provision of
this chapter or any permit or permit conditions issued pursuant to
this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of an unclassified
misdemeanor pursuant to the Penal Law of the State of New York, punishable
by a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1,500 for each offense,
or imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both. In addition, any
person who violates any open fire provision of this chapter or who
fails to do any act required thereby shall, for each and every such
violation, pay a civil penalty of not more than $250, to be imposed
in a civil proceeding upon proof of a violation of this chapter. Each
day that a violation continues shall be a separate offense.
[Added 2-9-2011 by L.L. No. 1-2011]
A.
Any person who shall violate any provisions of the New York State
Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code or provisions of the Rosendale
Code within the enforcement jurisdiction of the Fire Marshal or any
of his deputies, other than those provisions concerning open fires,
or fail to comply therewith; or who shall violate or fail to comply
with any order made thereunder; or who shall build in violation of
any detailed statement of specifications or plans submitted and approved
thereunder, or any certificate or permit issued thereunder and from
which no appeal has been taken; or who shall fail to comply with an
order as affirmed or modified by the Town Board or a court of competent
jurisdiction, within the time fixed herein, shall severally for each
and every violation and noncompliance, respectively, be guilty of
a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more
than $500 or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by both
such fine and imprisonment.
B.
The application of the above penalty shall not be held to prevent
the forced removal of prohibited conditions pursuant to a civil action
instituted by the Fire Marshal or the Town Board.
[Added 2-9-2011 by L.L. No. 1-2011]
A.
Interpretation. The New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building
Code is interpreted by the New York State Department of State, Code
Division. The Rosendale Code is interpreted by the Rosendale Building
Inspector.
B.
Appeals. Appeals associated with a state interpretation of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code may be filed with the New York State Department of State, Code Division. Appeals associated with a Rosendale Building Inspector interpretation may be filed with the Rosendale Zoning Board of Appeals in accordance with the procedures set forth in Chapter 75 of the Rosendale Code.
