[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Moreau 2-9-2010 by L.L. No.
1-2010.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Outdoor burning — See Ch. 52.
Administration and enforcement of New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code — See Ch. 74.
[1]
Editor's Note: This chapter was adopted as Ch. 76 but
was renumbered to maintain the alphabetical organization of the Code.
This local law shall be known as Chapter 101 of the Code of the Town of Moreau and more specifically known as the "Town of Moreau Outdoor Hydronic Heaters Local Law."
Although outdoor hydronic heaters, hereinafter "OHHs" (e.g.,
outdoor woodburning furnaces), provide an alternative to conventional
heating systems, concerns have been raised regarding the safety and
environmental impact of OHHs, particularly the production of offensive
odors and potential health effects from uncontrolled emissions. It
is the purpose and intent of this chapter to ensure that OHHs are
utilized in a manner that does not create a nuisance and is not detrimental
to the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Town
of Moreau.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Wood that has not been treated with paint, stains or other
types of coatings or chemicals, including but not limited to copper
chromium arsenate, creosote, or pentachlorophenol.
An OHH that is installed and operational at the location
of use as of the effective date of this chapter.
A condition caused through allowing emissions or air contaminants
in the outdoor atmosphere in such a quantity, characteristic or duration
that may be injurious to human, plant or animal life or to property,
or that unreasonably interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of
life or property.
A fuel-burning device designed to burn wood or other approved
solid fuels; that the manufacturer specifies for outdoor installation
or installation in structures not normally occupied by humans (e.g.,
garages); and which heats building space and/or water via the distribution,
typically through pipes, of a fluid heated in the device, typically
water or a water/antifreeze mixture.
Notwithstanding that any of the fuels on the following list
of fuels may be recommended for use by the OHH manufacturer, the following
fuels are expressly prohibited from use in the operation of OHHs:
Any wood that does not meet the definition of clean wood;
Garbage;
Tires;
Lawn clippings or yard waste;
Materials containing plastic;
Materials containing rubber;
Waste petroleum products;
Paints and paint thinners;
Chemicals;
Coal;
Glossy or colored papers;
Construction and demolition debris;
Plywood;
Particle board;
Manure;
Animal carcasses; and
Asphalt products.
A.
Permit required. A building permit for a new OHH must be obtained from the Town Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer before a person shall cause, allow or maintain the use of an OHH. Only those OHHs that are certified to meet current emission standards promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shall be eligible for a permit. An application for a permit along with the prescribed application fee shall be made to the Town Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer on forms available from the office of the Town Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer. Failure to obtain a permit for an OHH as provided herein or the failure to comply with the specific requirements of this section shall constitute a violation of this chapter. A violation of this section may result in the revocation of the issued permit pursuant to § 101-7.
B.
Minimum lot size. The minimum lot size on which an OHH may be allowed
and maintained is four acres or more in total area.
C.
Setbacks. Outdoor hydronic heaters shall be set back a minimum of 200 feet from any property line. Outdoor hydronic heaters shall not be allowed in any front yard, as defined in Chapter 149, Zoning.
D.
Subdivision. Properties that have a permitted OHH shall not be allowed
to subdivide unless the parcel containing the OHH complies with this
chapter in its entirety.
E.
Months of operation. Outdoor hydronic heaters may be operated from October 1 through April 30. Exemptions to this provision may be granted by the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer. Nonseasonal use exemptions may be granted by the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer, provided that the requirements of § 101-4B and C are complied with, or as may be deemed appropriate by the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer. This exemption can be applied for any OHH, whether new or nonconforming. A determination made by the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer under this paragraph may be appealed in writing to the Town Board for review within 30 days of the date of this determination.
F.
Height of stack. The minimum height of the stack for any OHH shall
be per the manufacturer's installation instructions.
A.
Any OHH in existence, as defined herein, on the effective date of this chapter shall be deemed to be a nonconforming use and permitted to remain provided that the owner submits an application for a permit, receives a permit from the Town Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer and brings the existing OHH into compliance with this law within 180 days of such effective date; provided, however, that upon the effective date of this chapter all the specific requirements of § 101-4 hereof, except § 101-4A, B, C and F, shall immediately apply to existing OHH. If the owner of an existing OHH is not in compliance within 180 days of the effective date of this chapter, the OHH shall be deemed illegal and must be removed. The failure to do so shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
B.
Replacement of nonconforming OHH. Replacement of a nonconforming
OHH shall comply with this law in its entirety.
The use of prohibited fuels, as that term is defined herein, in the operation or use of any OHH is unlawful and shall constitute a violation of this chapter. A violation of this section may result in the revocation of the issued permit pursuant to § 101-7.
A.
Upon notice to the property owner and the opportunity to be heard,
the Town Board may direct the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement
Officer to revoke a permit issued pursuant to this chapter upon a
determination by the Town Board that it is necessary to protect the
public health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Town of
Moreau and to protect the value of real property in the Town of Moreau
if any of the following conditions exist or occur:
B.
Notwithstanding anything in this section to the contrary, the Building
Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer may order cessation of the OHH
operations when it is determined that there is an immediate negative
impact to the public health, safety and general welfare of residents
of the Town of Moreau. Notwithstanding anything in this chapter to
the contrary, nothing herein shall otherwise restrict the authority
of the Local Board of Public Health under Article 13 of the New York
State Public Health Law.
C.
A revoked permit may be reinstated by the Building Inspector/Code
Enforcement Officer once the condition which resulted in revocation
is remedied and reasonable assurances are given that such condition
will not recur.
Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter
shall constitute a violation of this chapter and, upon conviction
thereof, shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $250 for the
first offense. Any subsequent offense shall be punishable by fine
of not more than $500. Each day that a violation occurs shall constitute
a separate offense. The owner(s) of the 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 OHH is located until paid in full.
Nothing contained herein shall authorize or allow burning which
is prohibited by codes, laws, ordinances, rules or regulations promulgated
by the United States Environmental Protection Agency or any other
federal, state, regional or local agency. Outdoor hydronic heaters,
and any electrical, plumbing or other apparatus or device used in
connection with OHHs, shall be installed, operated and maintained
in conformity with the manufacturer's specifications and any
and all federal, state and local codes, laws, ordinances, rules and
regulations. In case of a conflict between any provision of this chapter
and any applicable federal, state or local codes, laws, ordinances,
rules or regulations, the more restrictive or stringent provision
or requirement shall prevail.
Should any section or provision of this chapter be deemed to
be unconstitutional or invalid by a court of law, such decision shall
not affect the validity of this chapter as a whole or any part thereof
other than the part so decided to be unconstitutional or invalid.
This chapter shall take effect upon filing in the office of
the New York State Secretary of State.
