{"id":9644,"date":"2021-09-17T16:50:29","date_gmt":"2021-09-17T20:50:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shorebeat.com\/lavallette-seaside\/?p=9644"},"modified":"2021-09-17T16:56:55","modified_gmt":"2021-09-17T20:56:55","slug":"seaside-park-introduces-ordinance-regulating-fire-pits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shorebeat.com\/lavallette-seaside\/2021\/09\/seaside-park-introduces-ordinance-regulating-fire-pits\/","title":{"rendered":"Seaside Park Introduces Ordinance Regulating Fire Pits"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Fire<\/a>

Fire Pit (Photo: Fire. Water. Burn.\/Flickr)<\/p><\/div>\n

Outdoor fires in Seaside Park will be subject to new regulations under an ordinance introduced by the borough council Thursday night.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was a compilation of different areas of input from the community, the council, the fire chief,\u201d said Mayor John A. Peterson.<\/p>\n

Under the ordinance, outdoor fires must be \u201centirely contained within portable fire devices and permanent fire devices,\u201d and may be lit and fueled only with \u201cclean firewood, charcoal, manufactured fire logs, propane, and natural gas as permissible fuels.\u201d The ordinance specifically bans fueling a fire using \u201cbrush, leaves, trees, trash, refuse, and treated and wet wood.\u201d<\/p>\n

Most significantly, the ordinance prohibits fumes and smoke from outdoor from being allowed to overwhelm residents of neighboring properties \u2013 one of the primary drivers of calls to begin regulating fire pits and similar devices. Smoke and embers should not interfere with the \u201cair quality, peace and quiet enjoyment of neighboring residents.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ordinance also adds a regulation requiring a fire to be attended by a \u201ccompetent adult\u201d 18-year-old or greater. Fires cannot be located within 10-feet of a property line, accessory structure on the property (a shed, for example), or fences or decks. Fires for \u201crecreational purposes\u201d must be contained in a manufactured device designed as a fire pit or \u201cin a proper non-combustible stone, cement, brick, tile or metal firepit of no more than 3 feet in diameter and shall not exceed 3 feet in height.\u201d<\/p>\n

Flames may not exceed two feet in height and a fire extinguisher or connected water hose must be present.<\/p>\n

The ordinance states that no new fire pits may be built in town without a permit and an inspection.<\/p>\n

Finally, the new law empowers the borough\u2019s fire chief or his designee to enforce the ordinance. That individual is authorized to order any residential outdoor fire be immediately extinguished if it is determined the fire creates a \u201chazardous condition.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition, all members of the borough fire department and borough police department are authorized to require that any residential outdoor fire be immediately extinguished if smoke emissions are found to be offensive to occupants of surrounding properties,\u201d the ordinance states.<\/p>\n

The fire chief can also issue a blanket ban on fires under certain weather conditions, such as very windy days.<\/p>\n

The borough code provides a wide range of fines and penalties for violating municipal ordinances, depending on the frequency and severity of the infraction. Portable barbecue grills are exempt from the ordinance.<\/p>\n

The ordinance has been introduced and is now subject to a public hearing and second vote at an upcoming council meeting before final passage.<\/p>\n

Read the Ordinance:<\/strong><\/p>\n