Chapter 7.28
OUTDOOR BURNING
Sections:
7.28.010 Fire chief – Responsibility and authority.
7.28.020 Repealed.
7.28.030 Residential back yard and agricultural burning.
7.28.060 Land clearing (burning) prohibited.
7.28.070 RCW 70.94.740 through 70.94.780 adopted by reference.
7.28.010 Fire chief – Responsibility and authority.
There are established specific rules and procedures for outdoor burning. The responsibility for the enforcement of this chapter shall be upon the fire chief or designee of the fire department to see that the public health and safety of the citizens of the city are maintained and protected. The fire chief may prohibit outdoor burning when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous. (Ord. 1793 § 1 (Exh. C), 2016; Ord. 907 § 1, 1988)
7.28.020 Fire safety information required.
Repealed by Ord. 1793. (Ord. 907 § 2, 1988)
7.28.030 Residential back yard and agricultural burning.
Residential backyard and agricultural field, forage grass or turf grass burning is not allowed. (Ord. 1793 § 1 (Exh. C), 2016; Ord. 1108 § 1, 1993; Ord. 997 § 1, 1990; Ord. 907 § 3, 1988)
7.28.040 Recreational fires.
Permitted fires are allowed for cooking, pleasure or ceremonial purposes, but there are conditions to these activities including location, size of the fire and the materials burned.
(1) Fires in approved containers should be a minimum of 15 feet away from structures. Approved containers are made of noncombustible materials, enclose the flames behind wire mesh or other noncombustible mesh with openings not larger than one-half inch in diameter and are not designed for the fire to be wider than three feet or higher than two feet.
(2) Fires other than in approved containers are required to be 25 feet or more from structures and other combustible materials. Conditions which could cause fire to spread (such as dry vegetation) to within 25 feet of a structure shall first be eliminated. Fires may not be more than two feet high and three feet in diameter.
(3) Material being burned must be either charcoal or dry natural firewood.
(4) Means of extinguishing the fire must be readily available, such as a charged garden hose. The fire must always be constantly attended.
(5) Repealed by Ord. 1793.
(6) Charcoal BBQs, gas grills, smokers and fires in permanent or listed portable containers are exempt from this requirement.
(7) The fire marshal may issue a temporary burn ban within the city limits due to drought or adverse conditions.
(8) On rare occasion the air pollution authority or other state authority may prohibit all outdoor burning.
(9) Outdoor fires larger than the requirement listed in subsection (1) of this section require a permit from the fire marshal’s office and need special written permits from the SWCAA.
(a) Bonfire shall not be conducted within 50 feet of a structure or of combustible material.
(10) Outdoor and/or recreational fires are not allowed to become a public nuisance. If the wind carries the smoke onto a neighbor’s property or into their house, you must extinguish the fire immediately. (Ord. 1793 § 1 (Exhs. B, C), 2016; Ord. 1604 § 1 (Exh. E), 2008)
7.28.050 Burn barrels.
The use of burn barrels is prohibited throughout the state of Washington. (Ord. 1793 § 1 (Exh. C), 2016; Ord. 1604 § 1 (Exh. E), 2008)
7.28.060 Land clearing (burning) prohibited.
Land clearing (burning) is strictly prohibited within the city limits. “Land clearing” is defined as the removal of stumps, trees and other heavy vegetation that, when removed, changes the scope and the intended use of the property. (Ord. 1793 § 1 (Exh. C), 2016; Ord. 1604 § 1 (Exh. E), 2008; Ord. 907 § 4, 1988. Formerly 7.28.040)
7.28.070 RCW 70.94.740 through 70.94.780 adopted by reference.
Further, the city adopts by reference RCW 70.94.740 through and including 70.94.780 pertaining to outdoor burning. (Ord. 1793 § 1 (Exh. C), 2016; Ord. 1604 § 1 (Exh. E), 2008; Ord. 907 § 8, 1988. Formerly 7.28.080)
7.28.080 Citation authority.
Any authorized employee of the city fire department may issue an appropriate citation to any person violating the regulations adopted by the city for outdoor burning as set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 1793 § 1 (Exh. C), 2016; Ord. 1604 § 1 (Exh. E), 2008; Ord. 918 § 1, 1988; Ord. 907 § 9, 1988. Formerly 7.28.090)
7.28.090 Violation – Penalty.
Any person violating the regulations for outdoor burning set forth in WMC 7.28.010 through 7.28.070 shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $500.00 for each violation. Appeals of fines shall be made to the city council. (Ord. 1793 § 1 (Exh. C), 2016; Ord. 1604 § 1 (Exh. E), 2008; Ord. 1047 § 1, 1991; Ord. 918 § 2, 1988. Formerly 7.28.100)