Council approves tighter open-burning rules: smaller piles, fuel and chiminea limits

The Verona Common Council on Monday approved ordinance 25-1068 to revise the city’s open burning rules, lowering the maximum permitted fuel pile size, prohibiting smoldering unattended fires, and restricting certain materials and homemade devices.

Under the new ordinance the maximum horizontal burn pile is reduced from 4 feet to 3 feet; the memorandum circulating before the meeting noted a correction to the vertical limit — the final text requires fuel to be no more than 1 foot in vertical height when burned in an open pile (the packet memo had an earlier typo indicating 2 feet). The ordinance also prohibits burning pallets, permits only devices designed and manufactured for outdoor fires, and requires outdoor fireplaces or chimineas to be set back a minimum of 10 feet from structures and to be equipped or screened to limit the release of embers or sparks.

Council members discussed enforcement logistics at the meeting. Fire department staff said complaints normally come first to the fire department, which will attempt to resolve problems on site and extinguish illegal or unsafe fires; police officers would issue citations if enforcement action is required. Council members and staff said the city will provide public education about the new rules, and the communications manager will prepare outreach so residents understand which devices are allowed and how the rules are enforced.

Supporters of the amendment said it addresses recurring complaints about unsafe backyard burns, including treated or pallet fires and smoldering debris. Several council members cautioned that any ordinance must be clear enough for residents to understand what devices are compliant and not easily weaponized in neighbor disputes.

Ordinance 25-1068 passed after committee review and public-safety discussion. Staff indicated they will supplement implementation with public education and sample diagrams showing compliant fireplaces and containment features.