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Erie adopts stricter open‑burning rules, limits fire‑pit size and requires screening
Summary
The council adopted a new ordinance restricting open burning of yard waste and garbage, allowing covered fire pits under a size threshold and specifying mesh screening; enforcement will be complaint‑based and fines can be substantial.
On Jan. 27 the Erie Town Council adopted an ordinance tightening open‑burning rules, banning the burning of yard waste and garbage in open fires and setting technical requirements for permitted fire pits.
Chief Lee Mathis outlined the changes and said the ordinance allows fire pits up to a size threshold (the transcript cites about three feet in diameter) and requires mesh screening to limit flying embers. "This modification to our fire‑setting ordinance... prohibits folks from burning yard waste and garbage in their fire pits," Mathis said, and added that the department will enforce the ordinance on a complaint basis.
Council members debated grandfathering existing larger pits. Some members urged grandfathering to avoid immediate noncompliance for existing homeowners; staff noted grandfathering complicates enforcement because it is difficult to verify purchase dates and ownership. Mathis said enforcement will largely be complaint driven and that officers will respond to neighborhood complaints or unsafe large fires.
The town attorney and council discussed penalties; the transcript records fines up to $2,650 and possible jail time in extreme cases, with final determination left to a judge. "The open burn ban would be a fine up to $2,650," one councilor said during deliberation.
After discussion, council moved and adopted the ordinance; the vote passed 6–1 as recorded in the meeting.
