Show All Answers

1. Where can I obtain a copy of a fire report?

A fire report can be obtained through an Open Records Request at the City Secretary’s Office.   

2. Are fireworks allowed in the city?

It shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture, sell, or offer for sale, discharge or possess fireworks of any type, or to permit any such violation of this article. (Ordinance 307, section II, adopted 8/3/72)

3. Am I allowed to have a barbecue grill on my apartment patio?

It is unlawful for a tenant, the management or an owner of an apartment house or any other person to use or allow or permit to be used a grill in an apartment house or within ten feet of any part of an apartment house or on or under any portion of the structure of an apartment house.

Grill means a fixed or portable cooking utensil on which food is exposed directly to red heat or open flame as from heated briquettes, charcoal, electricity, natural gas, propane compressed gas or wood, which is commonly referred to as a barbecue pit, barbecue grill, hibachi or smoker. (Ordinance 94-08-04, section 1, adopted 8/2/94)

Any person violating or failing to comply with any provision of this section shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof during which any violation of this article is committed, continued, or permitted and upon conviction of any such violation such person shall be punished by a fine in an amount not less than $200.00 nor more than $2,000.00. (Ordinance 94-08-04, section 3, adopted 8/2/94)

4. Is open burning permitted in the city?

307.2 Permit required. A permit shall be obtained from the fire code official in accordance with Section 105.6 prior to kindling a fire for recognized silvicultural or range or wildlife management practices, prevention or control of disease or pests, open burning or a bonfire. Application for such approval shall only be presented by and permits issued to the owner of the land upon which the fire is to be kindled.

307.3 Extinguishment authority. When open burning creates or adds to a hazardous situation, or a required permit for open burning has not been obtained, the fire code official is authorized to order the extinguishment of the open burning operation. The fire code official is authorized to order the extinguishment by the permit holder, another person responsible or the fire department of open burning that creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation.

307.4 Location. The location for permitted open burning shall not be less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) 300 feet (91 44m m) from any structure, and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading to within 50 feet (15 240 mm) 300 feet (91 44mm) of any structure.

Exceptions: The minimum required distance from a structure shall be 25 feet (7620 mm) where the pile size is 3 feet (914 mm) or less in diameter and 2 feet (610 mm) or less in height.

307.4.1 Bonfires. A bonfire shall not be conducted within 50 feet (15 240 mm) 300 feet (91 44mm) of a structure or combustible material unless the fire is contained in a barbecue pit constructed of approved non-combustible materials not exceeding 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less than height. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 50 feet (15 240 mm) 300 feet (91 44mm) of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.

307.4.4 Permanent outdoor fire pit. Permanently installed outdoor fire pits for recreational fire purposes shall not be installed within 10 feet of a structure or combustible material.

Exception: Permanently installed outdoor fireplaces constructed in accordance with the International Building Code.

307.4.5 Trench burns. Trench burns shall be conducted in air curtain trenches and in accordance with Section 307.2.

307.5 Attendance. Open burning, trench burning, bonfires, recreational fires and use of portable outdoor fireplaces shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished. A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher complying with Section 906 with a minimum 4-A rating or other approved on-site fire-extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose or water truck, shall be available for immediate utilization.

5. Where can I find a permit application?

A permit application can be obtained on our website.