Woodlake Municipal Code Ch. 8.36 Open Burning

A. No person shall kindle or maintain any bonfire or shall knowingly furnish the material for any such fire or authorize any such fire to be kindled or maintained, or shall burn or incinerate any material, refuse or rubbish of any kind, on or in any street, alley, road, lane or public grounds, or upon any private property lot.

B. Open burning that is offensive or objectionable because of smoke emissions or when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fire hazardous shall be prohibited.

C. Open burning in violation of the rules or regulations promulgated by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.

D. The fire code official or designee is authorized to order, or effect the immediate extinguishment of any open burning when in the opinion of the fire code official or designee it is reasonably necessary for safety and protection of life and health, and may issue administrative citations and seek to recover cost in accordance with Chapter 8.28 Nuisance, Section 8.28.050.

(Ord. 190 § 1, 1964)

(Ord. No. 631, § 2, 1-13-2020)

A. Outdoor cooking fires.

1. All cooking fires shall be in constant attendance, located an adequate distance away from a structure or combustible material and have adequate means available to extinguish a fire.

2. Cooking fires operated at a one or two family dwelling used for preparing food for human consumption do not require a permit and are permitted by this chapter.

3. When using a barbecue, grill and/or pit barbecue in a commercial setting, a conditional use permit shall be obtained and operations shall be in compliance with the California Fire Code and Tulare County Health Department.

B. Outdoor fireplace. Outdoor fireplaces are allowed if they comply with the following conditions:

1. Shall not be used on a "wood burning device use prohibited" day as determined by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.

2. Fuel is to be clean, dry wood and/or charcoal without coatings or preservatives. No debris, trash, garbage, demolition materials or yard waste shall be burned.

3. The fire is contained in a fire bowl, fire pit, chiminea or outdoor fireplace that has a fire area not larger than three feet in diameter and one foot in height.

4. A homemade fire bowl or pit is permitted if the fire area is not larger than three feet in diameter and one foot in height, and constructed of noncombustible material that contains the fire and its embers.

5. An outdoor fireplace shall not be operated within fifteen (15) feet of a structure or combustible material. Exception: Outdoor fireplaces used at one and two family dwellings.

6. Conditions such as dry weeds or other hazards that are nearby or may cause a fire to spread from the outdoor fireplace shall be eliminated prior to ignition.

(Ord. No. 631, § 2, 1-13-2020)

In addition to any other remedy authorized by this chapter, applicable law, or any violation adopted by the State Fire Marshal Pursuant Section 13000 et seq., shall be subject to an administrative penalty, enforcement, and collection proceeding, as set forth in this chapter and authorized by Section 53069.4 of the California Government Code. A person is guilty of a separate offense each day during which he commits, continues, or permits a violation of this chapter or of any regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter.

(Ord. No. 631, § 2, 1-13-2020)