Borough to allow fire pits
POTTSTOWN » If you live in the borough and want to light a fire pit or “chimnea” in your backyard on cool autumn nights, you can’t do so legally.
But soon, you will be able to.
Monday night, borough council voted unanimously to advertise an ordinance rescinding the ordinance that makes such backyard pleasures illegal.
The matter was brought to council by Pottstown’s new fire chief, Michael Lessar Jr.
“We’ll get a call that someone is burning in their backyard and the fire department goes out, the homeowner gets upset and then starts telling us about other places where people are doing the same thing,” Lessar told council.
But having a fire in these commercial fire pits is covered by the International Fire Code, Lessar said, and so the borough ordinance is not only unnecessary, but vague and confusing.
In a 12-page proposal to council, he outlined the reasons the ordinance is unnecessary and inconveniences firefighters as well as residents.
“Under the current ordinances, having an open fire in the backyard that is not contained to a permanent fireplace with a chimney or barbecue grill is in violation of the ordinance,” Lessar wrote.
“Burning in a permanent fireplace without a chimney and commercially made portable fireplaces are also in violation of the current ordinance,” he wrote.
But after receiving numerous phone calls and emails complaining about the law — remember, he has only been in office for less than two months — Lessar said he and the borough staff decided to take a look.
“Staff review of open burning regulations, in light of residents’ concerns finds that repeal of Ordinance 2084 would remove restrictive and confusing borough regulations that are already covered by the International Fire Code,” Lessar wrote.
Borough Council agreed and voted unanimously Monday to advertise a repeal of the ordinance and permit backyard fires to be governed by the International Fire Code.
That does not mean that borough residents can burn trash or leaves in their backyard.
It does mean they can use commercially sold portable fireplaces so long as they are placed 15 feet from any structure and combustible surface.
No permit will be required.
However, the ordinance will not be officially repealed until it has been advertised and adopted by borough council.
“Thank you for listening to the people,” said Councilman Dennis Arms.
“That’s my job,” Lessar replied.
“We’ll get a call that someone is burning in their backyard and the fire department goes out, the homeowner gets upset and then starts telling us about other places where people are doing the same thing.” Michael Lessar Jr., Pottstown Fire Chief