C Fires and Cooking Devices on Balconies or Patios
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Administration
Phone: 952.227.1100
Fax 952.227.1110
Building Inspections
Phone: 952.227.1180
Fax 952.227.1190
Engineering
Phone 952.227.1160
Fax: 952.227.1170
Finance
Phone: 952.227.1140
Fax 952.227.1110
Park & Recreation
Phone 952.227.1120
Fax 952.227.1110
Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Phone 952.227.1400
Fax 952.227.1404
Planning &
Natural Resources
Phone 952.227.1130
Fax 952.227.1110
Public Works
1591 Park Road
Phone 952.227.1300
Fax 952.227.1310
Senior Center
Phone 952.227.1125
Fax 952.227.1110
Web Site
www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us
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MEMORANDUM
TO:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
FROM:
Mark Littfin, Fire Marshal
o-r& '
DATE:
August 19,2005
SUBJ:
Adoption of a City Code Amendment Prohibiting Fires or Cooking
Devices on Vertically Stacked, Multi-Family Balconies or Patios
Attached is a proposed City Code amendment that would prohibit fires or cooking
devices on balconies of vertically stacked multi-family dwellings, or within fifteen
feet of any building on the ground level. The buildings affected would be any
structure where there are two or more vertically stacked dwelling units, e.g. the
average apartment or condominium building. Twin homes and four, six or eight-unit
buildings such as Mission Hills, Arboretum Village, or townhouses in the Chaparral
area would not be affected. This amendment only affects dwelling units which are
stacked one on top of the other.
Even though the City and Fire Department have been fortunate not to have any
balcony-related fires, a number of cities in the metro area have had large apartment
fires that were determined to have started on balconies. Over the past few years, our
Fire Department has responded to grill fires, leaking LP tanks burning, deep fat fryer
fires and similar fires at single-family dwellings. These fires were quickly
discovered and occasionally extinguished by the homeowners.
Two weeks ago, a letter was sent to all apartment/condo owners/managers requesting
feedback on the proposed ordinance language. The only responses received were
from Summerwood of Chanhassen and Centennial Hill Apartments. Both are in
agreement with the ordinance and Summerwood has similar language in their lease
agreements. This ordinance language will give the Sheriff's Department and Fire
Department the necessary authority to enforce and issue citations if warranted.
RECOMMENDA TION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached City Code amendment
prohibiting fires or cooking devices on the balconies of vertically stacked multi-
family dwelling units, or within fifteen feet of any building on the ground level.
Approval requires a simple majority vote of those City Council members present.
MUbe ~
Attachment
g:\safety\ml\memogerhardt8-29-05
The City 01 Chanhassen. A growing community with clean lakes, quality schools, a charming downtown, thriving businesses, winding trails, and beautiful parks A great place to live, work, and play
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 1, SECTION 1-2, DEFINITIONS AND
CHAPTER 9, ARTICLE III, FIRE CODE, SECTION 9-44 OF THE
CHANHASSEN CITY CODE
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHANHASSEN ORDAINS:
Section 1. Chapter 1, Section 1-2 of Chanhassen City Code shall be amended by adding the
following definitions:
Cooking device means any barbecue, rotisserie, roaster, oven or similar equipment used in
food preparation. (9)
Open Flame Fire means any burning of fuel, and includes any torch, flare, decorative
light, fondue or other heating, burning, or lighting equipment or device having an open
flame. (9)
Permitted cooking device" means a cooking device fueled by briquettes or electricity or a
permanently mounted natural gas cooking device as described in Section 9-44 of
Chanhassen City Code. (9)
Section 2. Chapter 9, Article ill, Section 9-44 of the Chanhassen City Code concerning the fire
code shall be amended to read as follows:
Fires or Cooking Devices on Balconies or Patios.
(a) Prohibition. No person may kindle, maintain or cause any fire or Open Flame Fire
or store or use any Cooking Device, fuel, torch, or other heating or lighting equipment or
flammable chemicals on any balcony above ground level or on any ground floor patio
immediately adjacent to or within 15 feet of any unit in any structure containing two or more
vertically stacked residential units.
(b) Exception: Permitted Cookinl! Devices in Certain Structures. Subdivision 1 does
not apply to the storage or use of Permitted Cooking Devices on balconies or ground floor patios
that are constructed of noncombustible material on five or six sides. Fuel for a permitted
Cooking Device must be stored in compliance with Subdivision 1 of this Section.
(c) Exception: Permanent Natural Gas and Electrical Cookinl! Devices. Natural gas
fired or electrically heated Cooking Devices that are permanently mounted, plumbed to the
building's natural gas supply or electrically connected to the building's electrical service, not
merely plug-ins, and which maintain a minimum clearance of 16 inches on the sides and back of
the device may be installed on balconies and patios.
Section 3. This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its passage and publication.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Chanhassen City Council this _ day of August, 2005.
ATTEST:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
Thomas A. Furlong, Mayor
(Published in the Chanhassen Villager on
)
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Apartment, Condominium Owners/Managers
FROM:
Mark Littfin, Chanhassen Fire Marshal
DA TE:
August 3, 2005
SUBJ:
Fire or Cooking Devices on Balconies or Patios
Enclosed is the new Fire Code/City Ordinance language which prohibits cooking and
storage of such fuels on apartment balconies above ground level and within 15 feet of
ground patio units.
Before I present this to City Council, I am requesting any input that you would have to
offer. This may be done through E-mail, a letter or a copy of your lease
agreement/rules regarding cooking on balconies. Also let me know if you agree or
disagree with the code language.
This would apply to two or more vertically stacked units. This would not apply to
townhouse or multi-family dwellings which are constructed side by side or back to
back.
If possible, please have your comments back to me by August 19,2005. If you have
any questions or concerns, please fee free to contact me at 952-227-1151 or
mlittfin@ci.chanhassen.mn.us.
Enc
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