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Upper Pottsgrove Township
City Zoning Code

ARTICLE XXXII

Outdoor Solid-Fuel-Burning Furnaces

§ 350-216 Legislative intent.

It has been determined that air pollution from outdoor solid fuel burning furnaces may be detrimental to the health, comfort, living conditions, welfare, and safety of the citizens of the Township and it is hereby declared to be the policy of the Township to regulate and restrict the use of outdoor solid fuel burning furnaces in order to safeguard the citizens of the Township from air pollution. The provisions hereof apply to the installation and use of outdoor solid fuel burning furnaces within the Township. The provisions hereof do not apply to: burning in a stove, furnace, fireplace, or other heating device within a building used for human or animal habitation, the use of propane, acetylene, natural gas, gasoline, or kerosene in a device intended to provide heating for construction activities.

§ 350-217 Conditional use standards for outdoor solid-fuel-burning furnaces.

Outdoor solid fuel burning furnaces shall be permitted by the Board of Commissioners by conditional use in all zoning districts, provided there is compliance with all of the following criteria and requirements:
A. 
The use and operation of outdoor solid fuel burning furnaces shall be in full compliance with the most recent and updated applicable federal, state and local rules and regulations, including but not limited to those of the EPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
B. 
The outdoor solid fuel burning furnaces shall be setback at least 200 feet from all property lines, including without limitation 200 feet from the street line. The outdoor solid fuel burning furnaces shall have a permanent attached stack with a minimum stack height of 10 feet above the ground that also extends at least two feet above the highest peak or highest point of the roof of any occupied building located less than 150 feet from the outdoor solid fuel burning furnaces.
C. 
The fuel used for the outdoor solid fuel burning furnaces shall be limited to the following, and no other fuel shall be used: clean wood or wood pellets made from clean wood. The following fuel is also permitted when used as a starter fuel or supplemental fuel for a dual-fire boiler: home heating oil, natural gas or propane.
D. 
The outdoor solid fuel burning furnaces shall not be used or operated between dates of April 15 and October 15 of any year.
E. 
Outdoor solid fuel burning furnaces shall be installed and operated according to manufacturer's specifications and all applicable Township ordinances.
F. 
The following fuels are prohibited from being utilized in any outdoor solid fuel burning furnaces: treated or painted wood, furniture, garbage, tires, lawn clippings, or yard waste, material containing plastic, material containing rubber, waste petroleum products, paint and paint thinners, chemicals, any hazardous waste, coal, glossy colored paper, construction and demolition debris, plywood, particleboard, salt water driftwood, manure, animal carcasses, asphalt products, cardboard and paper products.