Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:open burning without a permit is prohibited in Montgomery County, and fines of $500 per day may be imposed. Chapter 3 of the Montgomery County Code and Maryland regulations (COMAR 26.11.07) place restrictions on open burning.

It is illegal in nearly every part of country. Your neighbor should just call 911

Open burning is not the same as having a fire pit or outdoor fireplace in any way shape or form. Most counties in Maryland (mine, not MoCo) require fire pits to adhere to certain safety standards, most obviously being a certain safe distance away from a fence or housing. If OP’s fire pit meets those conditions, the smoke really should be minimal for any neighbors.

Some people, I swear, just don’t like seeing neighbors using their backyards—as if it somehow is rude to enjoy one’s own space if others can observe that enjoyment. I mean, don’t put up an ugly structure in your backyard that is an eyesore for neighbors, don’t have loud parties (especially now), don’t let your kids scream outside late into the evening. But enjoy a damn glass of wine by a backyard firepit all you want.

Anonymous wrote:open burning without a permit is prohibited in Montgomery County, and fines of $500 per day may be imposed. Chapter 3 of the Montgomery County Code and Maryland regulations (COMAR 26.11.07) place restrictions on open burning.

It is illegal in nearly every part of country. Your neighbor should just call 911

Anonymous wrote:open burning without a permit is prohibited in Montgomery County, and fines of $500 per day may be imposed. Chapter 3 of the Montgomery County Code and Maryland regulations (COMAR 26.11.07) place restrictions on open burning.

It is illegal in nearly every part of country. Your neighbor should just call 911

Anonymous wrote:open burning without a permit is prohibited in Montgomery County, and fines of $500 per day may be imposed. Chapter 3 of the Montgomery County Code and Maryland regulations (COMAR 26.11.07) place restrictions on open burning.

It is illegal in nearly every part of country. Your neighbor should just call 911

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Open fire pits are most likely illegal, you are making nose and smells that are ruining neighbors ability to enjoy their home.

I am a officer in an HOA and I don’t even live there. But just last week guy two sets of complaints about smokers and grills. Folks are working from home have allergies and you get folks smoking, having a beer and Hanging out outside their windows stinking up the place.

But a damn house on a large plot if you are white trash and enjoys you beer drinking, Covid spreading, fire pit, pot smoking swinger parties on your own land

1. what is the difference between a fire pit and a weber grill?

2. people like you are the reason that people avoid buying houses with HOAs

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The HOA can enforce its own rules and assess rule breakers with fines.

FWIW I can understand why your neighbor is complaining. Fire pits absolutely stink up a neighborhood and if you're using a fire pit all the time then no wonder your neighbor is unhappy.

The HOA can't make up its own rules to enforce, though. Unless there is a pre-existing bylaw re fire pits, it likely has to go to a vote by a quorum of homeowners before they can start money grabbing and threatening liens.

I mean, Jesus, most HOA boards are the neighborhood busybodies who are measuring other people's grass and timing trashcan pickup, can you imagine how out of control they would be if they got to make up their own rules on the fly, too?

Anonymous wrote:Open fire pits are most likely illegal, you are making nose and smells that are ruining neighbors ability to enjoy their home.

I am a officer in an HOA and I don’t even live there. But just last week guy two sets of complaints about smokers and grills. Folks are working from home have allergies and you get folks smoking, having a beer and Hanging out outside their windows stinking up the place.

But a damn house on a large plot if you are white trash and enjoys you beer drinking, Covid spreading, fire pit, pot smoking swinger parties on your own land

Anonymous wrote:Open fire pits are most likely illegal, you are making nose and smells that are ruining neighbors ability to enjoy their home.

I am a officer in an HOA and I don’t even live there. But just last week guy two sets of complaints about smokers and grills. Folks are working from home have allergies and you get folks smoking, having a beer and Hanging out outside their windows stinking up the place.

But a damn house on a large plot if you are white trash and enjoys you beer drinking, Covid spreading, fire pit, pot smoking swinger parties on your own land

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in a NOVA Community with an HOA that has been surprisingly pleasant to work with. They have been prompt, friendly and highly efficient with resources.

Yesterday we got a letter saying no more fire pits or anything that emits heat in our yards. While the official letter said a neighbor has complained of increases in smoke smell, one of the board members told me off the record that a couple neighbors hate the idea people are hanging around their fire pits with neighbors and spreading covid. They obviously couldn’t put that in the letter though.

We have been living by our fire pit making s’mores with our kids or roasting hot dogs to pretend we are camping. And yes, we have had socially distant outdoor gatherings in the fall with the fire lit for heat. Guess we all will be shut ins the rest of the winter.

"Anything that emits heat" in a yard would include:
BBQ grill
Exterior lighting
Multiple exhausts from a house

Guess you can't grill, turn on the furnace, or turn on your outside lights anymore.

+1 also no more running your dryer inside, so you best put up a clothesline in your backyard immediately.