Chapter 7.20
BURNING RUBBISH
Sections
7.20.010 Garbage burning prohibited
7.20.020 Incinerators—approved types
7.20.030 Incinerators—outdoor burning regulations
For statutory provisions regarding local air quality control, see AS 29.35.055.
7.20.010 Garbage burning prohibited
The burning of garbage, either within or outside of buildings, in the city is prohibited. [CCK §5.11.1]
7.20.020 Incinerators—approved types
Out-of-doors burning of papers and other burnable materials is authorized in an approved type incinerator and in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed in this chapter. Approved types of incinerators are as follows:
(a) A 55-gallon oil drum, 18 gauge, located not less than 15 feet from any building, is approved for use in a residential setting as an incinerator, providing it is equipped with:
(1) Screened top of not more than one-half-inch mesh or metal cover with not greater than one-half-inch perforations spaced not greater than one inch. Tops and metal covers must be hinged to the drum or designed to fit securely on the drum;
(2) The bottom of the drum must be perforated with one-fourth-inch-diameter holes spaced one inch apart;
(3) The drum must have a minimum clearance of three inches between the bottom of the drum and the ground and must be supported by noncombustible material. Six-inch pipe nipples securely fastened to the drum are satisfactory for this purpose.
(b) The National Fire Protection Association’s Pamphlet Number 82, 1990 Edition, pertaining to commercial and industrial incinerators, rubbish handling, and the installation and use of incinerators and rubbish chutes and disposal of rubbish is adopted as the standard to be used within the confines of the city and by reference is made a part of this chapter and has the force and effect as though set out in full in this chapter. [Ord. 1041 §5, 1997; Ord. 417 §1, 1974; Ord. 404 §2, 1973. CCK §5.11.2]
7.20.030 Incinerators—outdoor burning regulations
The out-of-doors burning of paper and other burnable material in, and the use of, incinerators prescribed by KCC 7.20.020(a) must be not less than 15 feet from any structure, and is subject to these rules and regulations:
(a) Burning is allowed only between sunrise and sunset when authorized by an annual permit obtained in advance from the city fire department.
(b) Burning when the wind velocity is 15 knots or greater is prohibited.
(c) Burning of any material that gives off a dense or offensive smoke (e.g., plastics, rubber, petroleum products, etc.) is prohibited.
(d) The burning of rubbish and other slow burning materials in incinerators is prohibited. It is the intent of this section to provide authority and prescribe an inexpensive type incinerator to burn papers and other materials such as boxes or cartons that will readily burn and create as little fire hazard as possible. Nothing in this chapter is to be construed as advocating the burning of materials more suitably disposed of through available recycling programs.
(e) Incinerators must be attended at all times while in use. [Ord. 1041 §6, 1997; Ord. 304 §1, 1967. CCK §5.11.3]
7.20.040 Open burning
The burning of grass, tree branches, scrap lumber, and other burnable materials which are not to be burned in incinerators prescribed in this chapter may be burned out of doors, provided a permit therefor is obtained as prescribed in this section, and further provided the person obtaining such a permit is in attendance or causes a person to be in attendance during the period of such burning.
(a) An annual written permit for all burning authorized by this section shall be obtained from the city prior to burning any materials authorized by this section. Burning permits shall be issued by the chief of the fire department or such other representative of the city as is designated by the city manager.
(b) Permits issued shall state therein:
(1) The requirements for notifying the fire department when burning is intended;
(2) That a person must be in attendance at all times;
(3) Hours and wind velocity during which burning may be conducted;
(4) Special equipment such as fire extinguisher, fire hose, fire truck, if any is required;
(5) That burning is to be conducted not less than 50 feet from any structure or, if the burn pile is three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height, not less than 25 feet from any structure; and
(6) Such other safety precautions as may be required by the official authorizing the issuance of the permit.
(c) Special permits may be issued to building contractors or other persons whose business requires frequent burning of materials covered by this section. Such permits, in addition to the requirements of subsection (b) of this section, may contain such further restrictions and requirements as the officials authorizing the permit deem necessary in the interest of minimizing fire hazards.
(d) Any permit issued under this section is revocable by any of the officials authorized to approve a permit, or the council. [Ord. 1041 §7, 1997; Ord. 476 §1, 1976. CCK §5.11.4]