Recreational Fire Pits

Recreational Fire Pits

1. PORTABLE OUTDOOR FIREPLACE: A portable, outdoor, solid fuel burning fireplace that may be constructed of steel, concrete, clay, or other noncombustible material. A portable outdoor fireplace may be open in design or may be equipped with a small hearth opening and a short chimney or chimney opening at the top.

2. RECREATIONAL FIRE: An outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, portable outdoor fireplace, BBQ grill, or BBQ pit and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial cooking, warmth, or similar purposes.

3. MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL: A structure that consists of 3 or more separate dwelling units that is intended to be occupied as a residence.

City Policy

1. Portable outdoor fireplaces and recreational fires shall not be operated within 15 feet of any structure, property line, or combustible materials. 50 feet for any multifamily residential or commercial building.

2. Portable outdoor fireplaces shall not be used on a deck or within 15 feet of one.

3. Recreational fires shall be enclosed or surrounded by some form of noncombustible material at least 1 foot in height above the ground and shall not be constructed within 25 feet of a structure, property line, or combustible materials.

4. Outdoor fires that are offensive or objectionable because of green wood, smoke emissions or when atmospheric pressures keep smoke low to the ground that may create fire hazards or violates county burn ban issued shall be prohibited.

5. All combustible material, to include tall grass, which would cause fire to spread shall be eliminated prior to ignition.

6. Only charcoal or clean, dry, seasoned firewood is allowed to be used for fuel. Firewood can be a maximum of 2 feet long.

7. Use of flammable and combustible fluids such as gasoline, kerosene, etc. is prohibited.

8. Trash, leaves, garbage, petroleum products, paints, rubber, plastics, paper, cardboard, construction or treated wood, or any other substance that releases toxic emissions, dense smoke, or obnoxious odors shall not be used as a fuel.

9. When a fire is burning or smoldering, it must be attended at all times.

10. Some sort of extinguishment device must be readily available.

11. Flames shall not be more than 3 foot high at any time.

12. A Fire Officer can decide to extinguish any fire at any time that they feel is unsafe for any other reason.