[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Stonycreek 4-12-1992 by Ord. No. 498. Amendments noted where applicable.]
It shall be unlawful to build or kindle fires or bonfires or to burn trash, rubbish, garbage, refuse, debris, brush, trees, grass, weeds, leaves or any other substance or material or to start any fire outdoors on either public or private property within the limits of the Township of Stonycreek, except as set forth.
Outdoor burning will be permitted within the Township in the following limited circumstances and under the following conditions: brush, trees and similar matter cut down in the course of clearing a lot or parcel of ground for the purpose of selling the same or building thereon and debris resulting from the demolition or razing of a dwelling, barn or other building may be burnt; provided, however, that such burning is permitted by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government and the regulations of any administrative agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government and the person complied with any such laws or regulations; and provided, further, that the person, corporation or other entity seeking to do such burning has first obtained a permit from the Township of Stonycreek or its designated representative.
The permit required by § 52-2 above shall be issued by the Road Foreman after a personal inspection by him or by another Township representative assigned for that purpose. Said permit shall contain such specific restrictions and precautions as may be deemed necessary by the officer issuing said permit. The permit shall fix the time when such fire may be built or kindled. The aforementioned officer may refuse to issue any permit under this section if, in his opinion, the contemplated fire would create an undue risk of harm to persons or property within the Township.
A fee of $10 shall be paid to the Township by the applicant for a permit required by § 52-2 at the time the permit is requested.
Any person, corporation or other entity who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter or a permit issued hereunder shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $200, plus costs of prosecution, and in default of payment of such fine and costs to undergo imprisonment for a period not exceeding five days.
[Amended 10-13-2020 by Ord. No. 658]
A. 
Fireplaces, barbecue pits, and charcoal burners are permitted if used for cooking, social or recreational purposes, not used to burn substances set forth in § 52-1 hereof and not used to circumvent the intent and prohibition of this chapter.
B. 
No permitted fire shall be kindled within 25 feet of a structure or flammable material. All open fires in the Township, whether permitted or exempt from permits, shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished.
C. 
The Township Fire Official is authorized to order the extinguishment of fire by the person or persons attending the fire that creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation.
Schools or bona fide organizations thereof within the Township may, upon obtaining a permit, make a bonfire for use in conjunction with an organized pep rally or similar function. Such school or bona fide organization is hereby exempted from the permit fee.
This chapter shall not apply to fires created by a duly organized fire company of the Township for the purpose of training or testing of equipment.