Except as permitted herein, outdoor open burn is not permitted
in the City of Geneva.
Outdoor open burn is prohibited except under the following conditions:
A. All burning material must be contained in a fire pit/grill, fire
pit table, chiminea or outdoor fireplace. All must have covers not
to allow embers to fly freely out of the burn container. The burn
area opening is not to exceed 36 inches in diameter. No person shall
kindle or maintain any such fire on any property less than 15 feet
from any structure and/or combustible; i.e., house, porch, garage,
trees, bushes, fencing. Flames not to exceed two feet in height. No
person shall kindle or maintain any bonfire or rubbish fire or authorize
any such fire to be kindled or maintained on or in any public street,
alley, road or other public ground without proper authorization. Burning
that produces excessive smoke will not be allowed at any time. At
no times the fire shall be left unattended until extinguished.
B. Fires may only utilize nontreated wood or charcoal as fuel. No leaves
or other organic materials are permitted.
C. Excepted outdoor burning may only take place between May 15 and the
following March 15.
D. Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires may be conducted where not otherwise
prohibited by law, provided that only untreated wood is used as fuel
and the fire is not left unattended until extinguished. All such fires
must be approved in writing by the Fire Chief, and may be prohibited
at his discretion, for any reason.
E. Small fires that are used to dispose of a flag or religious item
and small fires or other smoke-producing process where not otherwise
prohibited by law that are used in connection with a religious ceremony
are accepted.
F. Burning on an emergency basis if explosive or other dangerous or
contraband material by police or other public safety organization
is accepted.
G. Fire training, including firefighting, fire rescue and fire/arson
investigation training, performed under applicable rules and guidelines
of the NYS Department of State's Office of Fire Prevention and
Control is accepted.
All permitted exceptions listed above, as well as any other
fire burning in violation of this chapter may be extinguished at the
Fire Chief's sole discretion. Fires determined to be producing
excessive smoke or noxious fumes will be ordered immediately extinguished
by the Fire Chief or his designee.
Those individuals who fail to comply with this chapter will
be guilty of a violation, punishable by a fine not to exceed $250
per violation. For the purposes of this chapter, each day a violation
exists shall constitute a separate violation.