[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of
Washington 5-10-1990 by Ord. No. 1990-5.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
An outdoor fire utilized for ceremonial purposes.
[Added 7-25-1996 by Ord. No. 1996-5]
Any enclosed device specifically designed for burning any material
for the production of heat.
All putrescible animal and vegetable matter resulting from the handling,
preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
Any device specifically designed for the destruction by burning of
refuse, sewage sludge or any other combustible material.
A fire in which any material is burned in the open or in a receptacle
other than a furnace or incinerator.
Any individual, partnership, association, corporation, department,
bureau, agency or other legal entity.
Garbage, rubbish and trade waste.
Solids not considered to be highly flammable or explosive, including
but not limited to rags, old clothes, leather, rubber, carpets, wood, excelsior,
paper, ashes, tree branches, tree leaves, yard trimmings, furniture, tin cans,
glass, crockery, masonry and other similar materials.
Any business, trade or industry engaged in whole or in part in salvaging
or reclaiming any product or material, including but not limited to metals,
chemicals, shipping containers or drums.
All solid or liquid material or rubbish resulting from construction,
building operations or the prosecution of any business, trade or industry,
including but not limited to plastic products, cartons, paint, grease, oil
and other petroleum products, chemicals, cinders and other forms of solid
or liquid waste materials, provided that trade waste shall not include any
coal refuse associated with the mining or preparation of coal.
The Board of Supervisors of Washington Township shall have the power
and duty to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
A.
Within the boundaries of Washington Township, no person
shall:
(1)
Ignite or feed an open fire for the destruction of refuse
or in the conduct of a salvage operation in any public or private place outside
any building; or
(2)
Cause, suffer, allow or permit the maintenance of any
open fire for the destruction of refuse or in the conduct of a salvage operation
on any property under his control outside of any building.
B.
Exceptions.
(2)
Open fires may be set, provided that:
(a)
Leaves, branches and other nonputrescible vegetable matter
only are burned;
(b)
There is no practical available alternative method for
disposal of the material to be burned;
(c)
No hazardous or other objectionable condition will be
created by such burning;
(d)
No such burning is allowed on any street or sidewalk
within Washington Township; and
(e)
All such burning takes place between sunrise and sunset.
(f)
Bonfires may occur after sunset, provided that permission is
first obtained in writing from the Township Fire Marshal, which permission
will not be unreasonably withheld. An application for a bonfire shall be submitted
in writing to the Township Fire Marshal at least 10 days before the fire is
set and shall be in such form and contain such information as required by
the Township Fire Marshal. Such application shall contain, as a minimum, information
regarding the purpose of the proposed burning, the nature and quantities of
material to be burned, the date when such burning will occur, the location
of the burning site and the on-site fire-extinguishing equipment to be provided.
[Added 7-25-1996 by Ord. No. 1996-5]
(g)
It shall be unlawful for residents of Washington Township to
burn any recyclables that are included in the Township recycling program.
Recyclables for purposes of this section include but are not limited to glass,
crushed tin, newspapers, phone books, magazines, cardboard, plastic containers
marked #1 and #2, and laser and ink jet cartridges. This list may be amended
from time to time by resolution passed by the Board of Supervisors.
[Added 3-27-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-1]
[Amended 7-11-1996 by Ord. No. 1996-4; 6-12-1997
by Ord. No. 1997-3]
Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall, upon
conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $1,000 and, in
default of payment thereof, to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days.
Each day that a violation of this code continues shall constitute a separate
offense. Enforcement shall be by action brought before a District Justice
in the same manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under
the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure.
