[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors
of the Township of Upper Uwchlan 8-18-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-05.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former Ch. 64, Burning,
Outdoor, adopted 5-15-1989 by Ord. No. 89-05, as amended.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Upper Uwchlan
Township Open Burning Ordinance."
It is hereby declared to be a matter of public health and safety
to regulate the disposal of waste by open burning in the Township
of Upper Uwchlan. It is further declared that the dangers of open
fires, the air pollution from fires, and the management of waste removal
and disposal necessitate regulation to protect the peace, good order,
and welfare of the Township and the health and safety of its citizens.
The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this chapter,
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, shall have the following
meanings ascribed to them:
Leaves of trees, bushes and shrubs.
Any individual, partnership, association, syndicate, company,
firm, trust, corporation, department, bureau, agency, or other entity
recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties.
All perishable animal and vegetable matter resulting from
the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food; any solid
or liquid material which, when ignited, creates toxic or noxious fumes,
including, but not limited to, plastics, rubber, petrochemicals, furniture,
carpets, rags, and old clothing; any waste not herein defined as "yard
waste" or "trade waste."
The Manager of the Township of Upper Uwchlan or his/her authorized
designee, which shall include the Code Enforcement Officer.
All solid or liquid waste material resulting from construction,
building operations, demolition, or the performance of any business,
trade, or industry, including, but not limited to, asphalt shingles,
electric wiring, plastic products, cartons, paint, grease, oil and
other petroleum products, chemicals, cinders, processed wood, and
other forms of solid and liquid waste materials; provided, however,
that trade waste shall not include any coal refuse associated with
the mining or preparation of coal.
Material discarded as worthless or of no use.
Waste resulting from the normal maintenance and upkeep of
a yard or farm, including, but not limited to, limbs, branches, bushes,
garden plants, etc. Yard waste shall not include any fire set in conjunction
with the production of agricultural commodities.
It shall be unlawful for any person to ignite or feed an open
fire except in accordance with the regulations set forth herein.
It shall be unlawful for any person to ignite or feed an open
fire for the burning of refuse, recyclable materials, leaves or yard
waste (compostable materials), trade waste, or any waste or recyclable
generated in a residential, commercial, institutional, or industrial
establishment.
The following types of fires are excepted from the provisions
of this chapter:
A.Â
Fire solely for the cooking of food.
B.Â
Campfires for warmth, fellowship, food preparation, or ceremonial
purposes of private individuals or organizations such as Boy Scouts,
Girl Scouts, etc.
C.Â
Any fire set in conjunction with the production of agricultural commodities
in their unprocessed or unmanufactured state on the premises of the
farm operation. Examples include, but are not limited to, butchering,
making apple butter, etc.
D.Â
Fires set in the performance of an official duty by any fireman or
public officer where the fire is for the prevention of a hazard which
cannot be abated by other means; for the protection of health, safety,
or welfare; for the purpose of instructing personnel in firesafety;
or for other official purposes.
E.Â
The Fire Marshal or his/her authorized designee may, when he/she
determines that there is imminent or immediate danger to any person(s)
or any property, buildings, structures or premises as a result of
a fire, take any and all steps necessary, within the reasonable performance
of his/her duties, to extinguish, mitigate and/or control that fire
in order to preserve and protect the life, health, welfare or safety
of any person(s) and to preserve and protect property, buildings,
structures or premises.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall,
upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than
$1,000, together with costs of prosecution, and in default of such
fine and costs to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 30 days.
Each day's continuance of a violation after notification shall constitute
a separate offense.
