BOROUGH OF ROYALTON
DAUPHIN COUNTY
ORDINANCE NO. 271
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF ROYALTON, DAUPHIN
COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, REGULATING OUTSIDE BURNING WITHIN THE BOROUGH; SETTING TIME LIMITS, TYPE OF MATERIAL TO BE BURNED, AND CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH BURNING MAY BE PERMITTED. PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF, AND CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS, AND TO AMEND ORDINANCE 153 AND ORDINANCE 225.
No person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit open burning of refuse, designated recyclable materials, or plant life nor conduct a salvage operation by open burning.
A. This article shall not apply to the following activities which do not require a permit from the Fire Marshal or the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection:
(1) Open barbeque pits or devices of similar construction, whether they are of a permanent or temporary nature, when such pits or devices are used for the purpose of preparing food for human consumption. The burning of refuse or designated recyclable materials in conjunction with open barbeque pits or devices of similar construction is strictly prohibited; or
(2) Fire pits, fire bowls, chimineas or similar portable devices, but only when the following requirements and conditions are met:
(a) Any person operating a fire pit, fire bowl, chiminea or similar portable device must have permission from the landowner.
(b) There must be one person at least 18 years of age present to assume responsibility for the use of these devices.
(c) Appliances must be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines. User instructions and guidelines shall be kept nearby for quick reference.
(d) Use of fire pits, fire bowls, chimineas and similar portable devices must be a minimum of 15 feet away from any building or structure in all directions. All flammable material(s), e.g., mulch, fabrics, firewood, etc., must be kept a minimum of three feet in diameter around the appliance.
(e) The use of fire pits, fire bowls, chimineas or similar portable devices on a balcony or deck is prohibited.
(f) Use of only aged, dried wood is allowed. The burning of any type of construction material or trash is prohibited.
(g) The use of any type of flammable or combustible liquid at any time is prohibited.
(h) A garden hose connected to a constant water source or extinguishing device must be stored close by, available and operational in the event of an emergency.
(i) Smoke is not allowed to cross property lines. Users must be mindful of the wind speed prior to starting this type of fire.
(j) Fire pits, fire bowls, chimineas and similar portable devices shall not be used on “Code Orange” or “Code Red” air quality days.
(k) Users must dispose of all ashes in a safe manner. After 24 hours has passed, all leftover hot ashes must be thoroughly dampened, cooled and stored in a metal can that is used solely for ash storage. The metal can should be a minimum of five feet from any structure. Ashes that are two or three days old may appear to be safe but can still retain enough heat to cause an unwanted fire. Do not discard hot ashes in a compost pile, paper bag, cardboard box, or anything that is combustible.
(l) Care and necessary precautions should be taken in handling partially burned wood. The wood may still be smoldering and could cause a serious burn.
B. The use of fire pits, fire bowls, chimineas or similar portable devices without taking the proper precautions, including but not limited to the requirements and conditions described above, is strictly prohibited. If said use is determined by the Middletown Volunteer Fire Department to be hazardous, it may result in the fire being extinguished by the Fire Department.
Any person violating Ordinance 271 shall, upon conviction thereof before any District Justice, be liable to a fine of not more than $300, plus costs of prosecution, or, in default of the payment of said fine and costs of prosecution, to imprisonment for not more than 30 days in the county jail.
