[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the
Town of East Fishkill 8-28-2008 by L.L. No 4-2008. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Zoning — See Ch. 194.
Although outdoor furnaces may provide an economical
alternative to conventional heating systems, concerns have been raised
regarding the safety and environmental impacts of these heating devices,
particularly the production of offensive odors and potential health
effects of uncontrolled emissions. This chapter is intended to ensure
that outdoor furnaces are utilized in a manner that does not create
a nuisance and is not detrimental to the health, safety and general
welfare of the residents of the Town.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Trunks and branches of trees and bushes, but does not include
leaves, needles, vines or brush smaller than three inches in diameter.
Any equipment, device or apparatus, or any part thereof which
is installed, affixed or situated outdoors for the primary purpose
of combustion of fuel to produce heat or energy used as a component
of a heating system providing heat for any interior space.
Dry wood which has been milled and dried but which has not
been treated or combined with any petroleum product, chemical, preservative,
glue, adhesive, stain, paint or other substance.
No person shall cause, allow or maintain the
use of an outdoor furnace within the Town of East Fishkill without
first having obtained a permit from the Building Inspector. Application
for permit shall be made to the Building Inspector on the forms provided.
Any outdoor furnace in existence on the effective
date of this chapter shall be permitted to remain, provided that the
owner applies for and receives a permit from the Town Building Inspector
within one year of such effective date; provided, however, that upon
the effective date of this chapter, all the provisions hereof shall
immediately apply to existing outdoor furnaces. If the owner of an
existing outdoor furnace does not receive a permit within one year
of the effective date of this chapter, the outdoor furnace shall be
removed. "Existing" or "in existence" means that the outdoor furnace
is in place on the site. No replacement of an outdoor furnace will
be allowed without full compliance with the requirements herein.
A.
Permitted fuel. Only firewood and untreated lumber
are permitted to be burned in any outdoor furnace. Burning of any
and all other materials in an outdoor furnace is prohibited.
B.
Permitted zones. Outdoor furnaces shall be permitted
only in the R-1 or larger Zoning Districts as shown on the Town's
Zoning Map, provided the parcel is at least one acre.
C.
Minimum lot size. Outdoor furnaces shall be permitted
only on lots of one acre or more.
D.
Setbacks. Outdoor furnaces shall be set back not less
than 50 feet from the nearest lot line and must be within 25 feet
of the house that it serves, permitted in the rear yard only and at
least 100 feet from the nearest residence.
E.
Months of operation. Outdoor furnaces shall be operated
only between October 1 and April 30.
F.
Spark arrestors. All outdoor furnaces, if so equipped,
will maintain properly functioning spark arrestors.
G.
Stack location. The stack must be two feet higher
than the peak of the residence and a minimum of 20 feet above the
ground.
H.
The only fuels allowed shall be those listed fuels
recommended by the manufacturer. The following are prohibited: trash,
plastics, gasoline, rubber, naphtha, and household garbage, material
treated with petroleum products (particle board, railroad ties and
pressure treated wood), leaves, paper products and cardboard.
I.
Lighter fluids, gasoline or chemicals to start the
furnace are prohibited.
J.
The unit must be located with due consideration to
the prevailing wind direction.
K.
Users must follow manufacturers written instructions
for recommended loading times and amounts.
L.
Outdoor furnaces must be UL and EPA listed.
M.
Outdoor furnaces must be in the rear yard only.
A.
A permit issued pursuant to this chapter may be suspended,
as the Building Inspector may determine to be necessary, to protect
the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Town
of East Fishkill if any of the following conditions occurs:
(1)
Emissions from the outdoor furnace exhibit greater
than 20% opacity (six-minute average), except for one continuous six-minute
period per hour of not more than 27% opacity, which shall be determined
as provided in 6 NYCRR 227-1.3(b);
(2)
Malodorous air contaminants from the outdoor furnace
are detectable outside the property of the person on whose land the
outdoor furnace is located;
(3)
The emissions from the outdoor furnace interfere with
the reasonable enjoyment of life or property;
(4)
The emissions from the outdoor furnace cause damage
to vegetation or property; or
(5)
The emissions from the outdoor furnace are or may
be harmful to human or animal health.
B.
A suspended permit may be reinstated once the condition which resulted in suspension is remedied and reasonable assurances are given that such condition will not recur. Recurrence of a condition which has previously resulted in suspension of a permit shall be considered a violation of this chapter subject to the penalties provided in § 134-9 hereof.
A.
Where the Zoning Board of Appeals finds that extraordinary
and unnecessary hardships may result from strict compliance with this
chapter, it may vary the regulations so that substantial justice may
be done and the public interest secured, provided that such variations
will not have the effect of nullifying the intent and purpose of this
chapter or of jeopardizing the health, safety or welfare of the public.
In varying any regulations, the Zoning Board of Appeals may impose
such conditions and requirements as it deems reasonable and prudent.
The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing as part of
its review. If the Zoning Board of Appeals grants the waiver, a permit
shall be issued for the outdoor furnace. If the Zoning Board of Appeals
denies the waiver, the outdoor furnace must either be brought into
compliance with this chapter or removed. If the Zoning Board of Appeals
does not take any action with respect to the waiver within 60 days
from its receipt of an application for waiver, the waiver shall be
deemed denied.
B.
In no event may any variance be given with respect
to side and rear line setbacks or stack height, or lot sizes.
Failure to comply with any of the provisions
of this chapter shall be a violation and, upon conviction thereof,
shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $500 or imprisonment
for a period of not more than 10 days, or both, for the first offense.
Any subsequent offense shall be punishable by a fine of not less than
$1,000 or imprisonment for a period of not more than 30 days, or both.
In addition, any permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall be revoked
upon conviction of a second offense and the subject outdoor furnace
shall not be eligible for another permit. Each day that a violation
occurs shall constitute a separate offense. The owners of premises
upon which prohibited acts occur shall be jointly and severally liable
for violations of this chapter. Any fine imposed hereunder shall constitute
a lien upon the real property where the outdoor furnace is located
until paid.
Nothing contained herein shall authorize or
allow burning which is prohibited by codes, laws, rules or regulations
promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency,
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, or any other
federal, state, regional or local agency. Outdoor furnaces, and any
electrical, plumbing or other apparatus or device used in connection
with an outdoor furnace, shall be installed, operated and maintained
in conformity with the manufacturer's specifications and any and all
local, state and federal codes, laws, rules and regulations. In case
of a conflict between any provision of this chapter and any applicable
federal, state or local ordinances, codes, laws, rules or regulations,
the more restrictive or stringent provision or requirement shall prevail.
