[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Silver Spring 4-25-2007 by Ord. No. 3-2007. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The following words shall have the particular meaning assigned by this section in the appropriate sections of this chapter:
FIREPLACE
An object or structure made of noncombustible material designed and used for burning firewood and which contains firebox and chimney.
FIRE RING
A container or structure made of noncombustible material, which is designed and used for burning firewood.
FIREWOOD
The hard fibrous substance from trees which is used as fuel.
It shall be and is hereby declared to be unlawful for any person, firm, partnership or corporation to burn any substance or maintain any fire upon any of the public streets, roads, highways, alleys, sidewalks, parks or other public grounds within and under the jurisdiction of the Township of Silver Spring, unless specifically authorized in advance of such burning by specific authority of the Board of Supervisors.
It shall be and is hereby declared to be unlawful for any person or entity to burn or permit to be burned any substances or maintain or permit to be maintained any fire out of doors on any tract of land within the Township of Silver Spring, except for the following:
A. 
Outdoor fires using only dry seasoned firewood, gas or charcoal to cook food for human consumption, provided the fire is confined to a fire ring, fireplace, charcoal or gas grill or other similar fireproof container;
B. 
Only one fire ring, not more than 36 inches in diameter, is permitted on any tract of land and must be located a minimum of 25 lineal feet from any boundary line of the tract of land on which it is located;
C. 
Fires used exclusively for agricultural purposes on properties containing a minimum of 10 acres, provided that any such burning occurs at a distance of not less than 100 lineal feet from the nearest point of any building and not less than 100 lineal feet from any boundary line of the tract of land on which said burning occurs; and
D. 
Bonfires, upon the issuance of a permit from the Emergency Management Coordinator, provided that:
(1) 
The fuel for the bonfire shall not be more than five feet long by five feet wide by five feet high in dimension and shall not burn longer than three hours. The size and duration of a bonfire shall only be increased with the approval of the Emergency Management Coordinator;
(2) 
A portable fire extinguisher or small hose line must be kept available and ready for service;
(3) 
Fuel for a bonfire shall consist only of seasoned, dry firewood and shall be ignited with a small quantity of paper; and
(4) 
Any such bonfire must occur at a distance of not less than 100 linear feet from the nearest point of any building and not less than 100 lineal feet from any boundary line of the tract of land on which said bonfire occurs.
Additional restrictions may be placed on fires by the Emergency Management Coordinator if it is determined that the situation is likely to constitute an unreasonable threat to people or property. During periods of low humidity, drought, high wind or other adverse weather conditions, the official may restrict burning to prevent the spread of fire. The Emergency Management Coordinator shall have the authority to order the extinguishment of any fire in violation of this chapter or which is an unreasonable threat to people or property.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this chapter shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought before a Magisterial District Judge under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs of prosecution. In default of payment thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days. Each day or portion thereof that such violation continues or is permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense, and each section of this chapter that is violated shall also constitute a separate offense.