[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Vanport 5-10-2004 by Ord. No. 314.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Zoning — See Ch. 180.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed original Ch. 80, Burning, Outdoor, adopted 10-21-1974 by Ord. No. 203.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Vanport Township Open Burning Ordinance of 2004."
The municipal government of Vanport Township under, and by virtue of and pursuant to the authority granted by Municipal Code, does hereby enact and ordain this chapter.
It is hereby declared to be a matter of public health and safety to regulate the disposal of waste by open burning in the Township of Vanport. It is further declared that the dangers of open fires, the air pollution from fires, and the management of waste removal and disposal necessitate regulation to protect the peace, good order and welfare of the Township and the health and safety of its citizens.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, shall have the following meanings ascribed to them:
ADULT
An individual 18 years of age or older who is not under the Influence of drugs or alcohol or suffering from any other disability which would impair his or her ability to properly supervise a fire.
BURNING
The act of consuming by fire; to flame, char, scorch or blaze. As used in this chapter, "smoldering" shall have the same meaning as "burning" and any smoldering shall be deemed as burning.
CLEARING AND GRUBBING WASTES
Trees, shrubs and other native vegetation which are cleared from land during or prior to the process of construction or agricultural land maintenance.
DOMESTIC REFUSE
All perishable animal and vegetable matter resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food; any solid or liquid material which, when ignited, creates toxic or noxious fumes, including but not limited to plastics, rubber, petrochemicals, furniture, carpets, rags, old clothing and any waste not herein defined as "yard waste" or "trade waste."
MUNICIPALITY
A city, incorporated town, borough, county, township or other public body created under commonwealth law having jurisdiction over the disposal of wastes.
OPEN BURNING
A fire emitting contaminants directly into the atmosphere; not directed through a flue.
PERSON
Any individual, public or private corporation for profit or not for profit, association, partnership, firm, estate, department, board, bureau of energy of the commonwealth or the federal government, municipality, district authority or any other legal entity whatsoever, recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties.
TRADE WASTES
All solid or liquid waste material resulting from construction, building operations, or the performance of any business, trade or industry, including but not limited to asphalt shingles, electric wiring, plastic products, cartons, paint, grease, oil and other petroleum products, chemicals, cinders, processed wood and other forms of solid and liquid waste material; provided, however, that the trade waste shall not include any coal refuse associated with the mining or preparation of coal.
YARD WASTE
Leaves, grass clippings, garden residue, tree trimmings, chipped shrubbery, and other vegetative material from residential yard maintenance.
A. 
There shall be no open burning.
B. 
Burning leaves prohibited:
(1) 
No person shall burn tree leaves or other residential yard waste for any reason within the Township of Vanport.
C. 
Wastes of any kind cannot be transported for the purpose of burning from one area of the municipality to another or into the municipality from any other municipality.
D. 
Fire bans.
(1) 
The municipal governing body may declare a fire ban emergency in the municipality with or without the consultation with the Fire Chief of the volunteer company operating within the municipality during a period of drought, or other periods of high risk to woodlands or property within the municipality.
(2) 
Upon the municipal governing body declaring a fire ban emergency, all outdoor burning or fire shall be prohibited until the ban is lifted by the municipal governing body.
(3) 
Notice of declaring or lifting a fire ban shall be published at least once in a local newspaper of general circulation.
E. 
The following types of fires are exempt from all the provisions of this chapter except Subsection D, Fire bans:
(1) 
Fire solely for cooking food.
(2) 
Recreational fires for warmth, fellowship, food preparation, camping, ceremonial purposes of private individuals or organizations (i.e., Boy/Girl Scouts).
(3) 
Fires set in the performance of an official duty by any fireman or public officer where the fire is for the prevention of a hazard which cannot be abated by any other means; for the protection of health, safety, or welfare; for the purpose of instructing personnel in fire safety; or for other official purposes.
Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction of a first offense thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $100 or more than $300, together with the costs of prosecution, and upon conviction for a second and subsequent offenses, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $300 or more than $1,000, together with the costs of prosecution, and in default of such fine and costs, to imprisonment for a period not to exceed 30 days. Each day's continuance of a violation after notification shall constitute a separate offense.
It shall be unlawful to fail to comply with or to cause or assist in the violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or fail to comply with any order or other requirement of the municipality; or to cause a public nuisance; or to hinder, obstruct, prevent, or interfere with the municipality or its personnel in the performance of any duty hereunder, including denying the ordinance enforcement officer or other authorized personnel access to the property in question.