Sunday's Internet Edition, July 20, 2008.
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The State regulations prohibit most outdoor burning unless there is an exception stated in the State regulations or TCEQ has authorized the outdoor burn. The State prohibits outdoor burning to dispose of typical household garbage if the City provides trash collection services, which the City of Lexington does provide.
To help ensure that the citizens of Lexington comply with State laws and regulations, the City Council is considering passing an ordinance to require compliance with the State regulations by prohibiting outdoor burning. The proposed ordinance prohibits all outdoor burning, except outdoor burning that is allowed under the State regulations. The proposed ordinance, and State regulations, allow outdoor burning for cooking, warmth, or for ceremonial purposes. The proposed ordinance also allows outdoor burning for recreational purposes, provided it is limited to vegetation, with the permission of the police department or the fire chief.
Mayor Willrich said, “It is not the City Council’s goal to charge our citizens with a crime by passing an ordinance prohibiting outdoor burning. It is our goal to help our citizens comply with State law and keep the City in compliance.”
Available for your inspection at City Hall is a TCEQ guidebook that describes the State’s regulations of outdoor burning.
The proposed ordinance will also be available at City Hall for anyone to view and to copy. The proposed ordinance will be considered at the February 9, 2005, Council meeting.