An ordinance adopting regulations for open burning within the city limits is on the agenda for Tuesday’s Batesville City Council meeting.
The ordinance notes the city of Batesville has a responsibility to regulate open burning “to protect the health and welfare of the citizens of Batesville,” and it calls for a person desiring to start a fire for “the purpose of agricultural, range or wildlife management practices, prevention or control of disease or pests, for a bonfire, or land clearing for the purposes of development” to obtain a permit from the Batesville Fire Department. A fee will not be charged for issuance of a permit, according to the ordinance.
One section of the ordinance notes open burning practices that would be prohibited within the corporate boundaries of the city. Listed prohibited practices include: the open burning of trash, garbage, and/or rubbish by any resident or business for the purpose of incineration; open burning of construction waste of any kind on the premises of a construction site; open burning of materials resulting from remodeling, dismantling, and/or demolition of structures or buildings; open burning of vegetation clippings generated by, or resulting from, commercial activities or establishments that provide lawn maintenance and/or grounds care services through the course of normal business activities; and open burning in any right of way.
According to one section of the ordinance, the open burning of residential lawn waste would not require a permit by a property owner or occupant as long as such burning falls within the listed guidelines of that section.
If a person refuses to abide by a request to extinguish a fire or repeats the same violation within a six-month time period, a citation may be issued which shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500 and not less than $150.
Section 9 of the ordinance also notes that “the immediate passage of this Ordinance is necessary for the immediate regulation of open burning and being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health, safety and welfare…”
The Batesville City Council will meet Sept. 10 at 5:30 p.m. in the Batesville Municipal Building, located at 500 E. Main St.
Read the ordinance below.
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