Board weighs new fire-prevention rules: gas-only permits for smokeless fire pits, food-truck inspections

The Board reviewed proposed updates to Chapter 7, which the fire department described as a modernization of long-outdated fire-prevention rules. The fire marshal explained the draft adds permitting and inspection authority for food trucks (including hood systems), the power to issue corrective orders and revoke permits, and civil and criminal penalties for violations of the fire code. He cited two recent food-truck propane leaks during a July event as the kind of hazard the ordinance would address.

Regarding recreational fire pits, the draft would permit "smokeless" fire pits (primarily gas-fueled) under a proposed initial inspection fee and an annual inspection fee. The fire marshal said his office proposed an initial $100 permit with a $50 annual inspection; Chief Drew clarified the intent is to require a smokeless/gas pit in dense neighborhoods so smoke does not intrude on adjacent properties: "If it is a fire pit, it has to be a smokeless fire pit." Several aldermen and residents objected to annual inspections for private residences while supporting inspection requirements for businesses and Airbnbs. The board directed staff to add clarifying examples to the ordinance, remove fee amounts from the draft and place fees in the budget fee schedule, and return a revised draft for further consideration (the board voted to bring back the revisions).