Sandy council narrows outdoor-burning rules, directs staff to develop chipper program

Councilors and staff spent the work session—s opening segment reviewing proposed changes to the city—s outdoor-burning regulations and asked staff to return a revised ordinance with implementation details. Staff proposed incorporating Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Clackamas Fire District language into the municipal code, to clarify what kinds of material and pile sizes are allowed and to give local code enforcement a citation tool in addition to relying on DEQ enforcement.

Why it matters: The changes are aimed at reducing smoke, ash and fire risk that neighbors have complained about, while preserving a path for agricultural burning and limited backyard fires. Councilors emphasized both public-health concerns (smoke inversion and asthma) and the practical problem that the city—s existing chipper program has frequent mechanical and insurance problems that limit alternatives to burning.

Most important actions and proposals

- Minimum lot size: Staff—s draft updates include a 1-acre minimum for backyard burning. That change was discussed repeatedly and commissioners signaled support for keeping the one-acre threshold while refining other limits. - Pile-size and height: Council discussion settled on different maximums for agricultural versus backyard burns. Council members asked staff to pursue language changing the agricultural maximum from 10-foot…