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Harrison Township adopts 2024 International Fire Code and tightens open-burning rules
Summary
The Harrison Township Board adopted Ordinance 408 on May 12, 2025, adopting the 2024 International Fire Code and the 2021 NFPA 303, revising open-burning regulations and raising civil-infraction fines; the ordinance takes effect upon publication.
The Harrison Township Board of Trustees on May 12 adopted Ordinance 408 to incorporate the 2024 International Fire Code and the 2021 National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) Code 303 and to revise local open-burning rules and fines.
Adam Wit, township clerk, told the board the ordinance adopts the IFC and NFPA 303 by reference and adds detailed local restrictions on open burning, exceptions for charcoal and non-ash fuel fires, permit requirements for bonfires, size limits for recreational fires, and safety-and-permit conditions for portable open-flame devices.
The ordinance text specifies that open burning of leaves, grass, brush, lake weeds and tree clippings is prohibited except in outlined exceptions; bonfires are limited to 6 feet in diameter by 4 feet high (with a permit and minimum distances from structures), recreational fires are limited to 3 feet by 2 feet and must be attended, and the Fire Code Official is authorized to order extinguishment if a fire is hazardous or produces noxious smoke. The ordinance also adopts the IFC/NFPA codes as the controlling standards for fire-prevention matters within the township.
The ordinance raises civil-infraction fines for violations, with a $100 minimum for first offenses and escalated minimums for repeat offenses (not less than $250 for a first repeat, $300 for subsequent repeats, and $500 for third or later repeats), and states that each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate offense. The code official designated by board resolution is authorized to issue civil-infraction citations under the article.
Treasurer Lawrence Tomenello moved adoption and Trustee Brian Batkins seconded. The board recorded AYES from Kenneth Verkest, Adam Wit, Lawrence Tomenello, Brian Batkins, David Bratto, Liza Brown and Dean Olgiati; the ordinance was adopted and becomes effective upon publication.
The ordinance prescribes that references to state and local codes mean the State of Michigan and the Charter Township of Harrison where applicable and delegates certain administrative definitions (for example, “fire code official” to the fire chief or designee).
