OP, not sure if you are still following this, but take a look at the association’s financials. I had one of these “not in the bylaws and we didn’t change them” aesthetic “rules” pop up in an HOA once. A few minutes investigation revealed they would never, ever have the $& to sue me to enforce it. I happily ignored the warning letter every year did 15 years. Nothing happened. When I sold the place I made sure the new owner knew about the situation and five years later, he hasn’t made the change either (drove past this summer). I still get warm fuzzies over that minor victory! And NEVER AGAIN with the HOA....they are always run by bored, micromanaging retirees with nothing better to do that drive around and issue violations.

Burn it down, Pooky!!!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

If MoCo didn't want fire pits, the rec dept wouldn't be renting them.

Doesn’t mean legal

Home Depot in Bethesda sells round up which is illegal to use in MoCo

OPEN BURNING IS NOT THE SAME AS FIRE PITS

...as has now been explained several times in this thread.

Open burning is when you burn leaves in your yard and prohibited most places. A fire pit/outdoor fireplace is completely different (it is a contained fire in a stone or metal structure) and generally allowed. I don’t really know why we’re talking about MoCo, OP said they were in NoVa I think. Here is a breakdown from Arlington that is pretty typical:

https://fire.arlingtonva.us/fire-code-information/open-burning-warming-fires-grilling/

But yes, open burning is not relevant here.

So must be on non flammable surface. No grass 15 feet from anything flammable, must have a fire extinguisher, always be watched till completely out - just for starters. So I assume no one is wearing flammable clothing within 15 feet either.

Seems no one does it legally

Huh? A fire pit in the middle of a stone/brick patio is fine under this rule. And if you read on, a hose counts as a fire extinguisher.

Plus, there is an exemption for single family homes and duplexes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

If MoCo didn't want fire pits, the rec dept wouldn't be renting them.

Doesn’t mean legal

Home Depot in Bethesda sells round up which is illegal to use in MoCo

OPEN BURNING IS NOT THE SAME AS FIRE PITS

...as has now been explained several times in this thread.

Open burning is when you burn leaves in your yard and prohibited most places. A fire pit/outdoor fireplace is completely different (it is a contained fire in a stone or metal structure) and generally allowed. I don’t really know why we’re talking about MoCo, OP said they were in NoVa I think. Here is a breakdown from Arlington that is pretty typical:

https://fire.arlingtonva.us/fire-code-information/open-burning-warming-fires-grilling/

But yes, open burning is not relevant here.

So must be on non flammable surface. No grass 15 feet from anything flammable, must have a fire extinguisher, always be watched till completely out - just for starters. So I assume no one is wearing flammable clothing within 15 feet either.

Seems no one does it legally

Huh? A fire pit in the middle of a stone/brick patio is fine under this rule. And if you read on, a hose counts as a fire extinguisher.

Could be worse, you could be the family on my street in a townhome community that sets up their fire pit in the grassy common area where one of the community mailboxes is, and has parties where only certain neighbors are invited. My HOA is super Covid busybody scared so all the common areas are “closed.”

Anonymous wrote:

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

No, I avoid them because of the kind of people who are attracted to neighborhoods with HOAs.

Sick burn, man.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

If MoCo didn't want fire pits, the rec dept wouldn't be renting them.

Doesn’t mean legal

Home Depot in Bethesda sells round up which is illegal to use in MoCo

OPEN BURNING IS NOT THE SAME AS FIRE PITS

...as has now been explained several times in this thread.

Open burning is when you burn leaves in your yard and prohibited most places. A fire pit/outdoor fireplace is completely different (it is a contained fire in a stone or metal structure) and generally allowed. I don’t really know why we’re talking about MoCo, OP said they were in NoVa I think. Here is a breakdown from Arlington that is pretty typical:

https://fire.arlingtonva.us/fire-code-information/open-burning-warming-fires-grilling/

But yes, open burning is not relevant here.

So must be on non flammable surface. No grass 15 feet from anything flammable, must have a fire extinguisher, always be watched till completely out - just for starters. So I assume no one is wearing flammable clothing within 15 feet either.

Seems no one does it legally

Missed that “exception” part relevant to fire pits in SFHs, huh?

And also image you missed the relevant caveat in regard to bonfires contained in a pit as well.

But other than that, spot on!

But if they roast marshmallows it is illegal as cooking over open flame rules in effect

One and two family home dwellings are also exempt from the relevant code. Seriously, what are you trying to accomplish here? You sound like an absolutely ridiculous person.

The regulations are similar over in Fairfax County as well, FYI. Here is a page that explains what is allowed pretty clearly:

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire-ems/fire-marshal/portable-fireplaces

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

No, I avoid them because of the kind of people who are attracted to neighborhoods with HOAs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

If MoCo didn't want fire pits, the rec dept wouldn't be renting them.

Doesn’t mean legal

Home Depot in Bethesda sells round up which is illegal to use in MoCo

OPEN BURNING IS NOT THE SAME AS FIRE PITS

...as has now been explained several times in this thread.

Open burning is when you burn leaves in your yard and prohibited most places. A fire pit/outdoor fireplace is completely different (it is a contained fire in a stone or metal structure) and generally allowed. I don’t really know why we’re talking about MoCo, OP said they were in NoVa I think. Here is a breakdown from Arlington that is pretty typical:

https://fire.arlingtonva.us/fire-code-information/open-burning-warming-fires-grilling/

But yes, open burning is not relevant here.

So must be on non flammable surface. No grass 15 feet from anything flammable, must have a fire extinguisher, always be watched till completely out - just for starters. So I assume no one is wearing flammable clothing within 15 feet either.

Seems no one does it legally

Missed that “exception” part relevant to fire pits in SFHs, huh?

And also image you missed the relevant caveat in regard to bonfires contained in a pit as well.

But other than that, spot on!

But if they roast marshmallows it is illegal as cooking over open flame rules in effect

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

If MoCo didn't want fire pits, the rec dept wouldn't be renting them.

Doesn’t mean legal

Home Depot in Bethesda sells round up which is illegal to use in MoCo

OPEN BURNING IS NOT THE SAME AS FIRE PITS

...as has now been explained several times in this thread.

Open burning is when you burn leaves in your yard and prohibited most places. A fire pit/outdoor fireplace is completely different (it is a contained fire in a stone or metal structure) and generally allowed. I don’t really know why we’re talking about MoCo, OP said they were in NoVa I think. Here is a breakdown from Arlington that is pretty typical:

https://fire.arlingtonva.us/fire-code-information/open-burning-warming-fires-grilling/

But yes, open burning is not relevant here.

So must be on non flammable surface. No grass 15 feet from anything flammable, must have a fire extinguisher, always be watched till completely out - just for starters. So I assume no one is wearing flammable clothing within 15 feet either.

Seems no one does it legally

Missed that “exception” part relevant to fire pits in SFHs, huh?

And also image you missed the relevant caveat in regard to bonfires contained in a pit as well.

But other than that, spot on!

Unless it was in the by-laws when you signed them and moved in-then NOPE. They need to amend the laws with a vote from the board.

Make your case, gather signatures if needed. Do not roll over without a fight.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

If MoCo didn't want fire pits, the rec dept wouldn't be renting them.

Doesn’t mean legal

Home Depot in Bethesda sells round up which is illegal to use in MoCo

OPEN BURNING IS NOT THE SAME AS FIRE PITS

...as has now been explained several times in this thread.

Open burning is when you burn leaves in your yard and prohibited most places. A fire pit/outdoor fireplace is completely different (it is a contained fire in a stone or metal structure) and generally allowed. I don’t really know why we’re talking about MoCo, OP said they were in NoVa I think. Here is a breakdown from Arlington that is pretty typical:

https://fire.arlingtonva.us/fire-code-information/open-burning-warming-fires-grilling/

But yes, open burning is not relevant here.

So must be on non flammable surface. No grass 15 feet from anything flammable, must have a fire extinguisher, always be watched till completely out - just for starters. So I assume no one is wearing flammable clothing within 15 feet either.

Seems no one does it legally

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

If MoCo didn't want fire pits, the rec dept wouldn't be renting them.

Doesn’t mean legal

Home Depot in Bethesda sells round up which is illegal to use in MoCo

OPEN BURNING IS NOT THE SAME AS FIRE PITS

...as has now been explained several times in this thread.

Open burning is when you burn leaves in your yard and prohibited most places. A fire pit/outdoor fireplace is completely different (it is a contained fire in a stone or metal structure) and generally allowed. I don’t really know why we’re talking about MoCo, OP said they were in NoVa I think. Here is a breakdown from Arlington that is pretty typical:

https://fire.arlingtonva.us/fire-code-information/open-burning-warming-fires-grilling/

But yes, open burning is not relevant here.

Anonymous wrote:

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

If MoCo didn't want fire pits, the rec dept wouldn't be renting them.

Doesn’t mean legal

Home Depot in Bethesda sells round up which is illegal to use in MoCo

OPEN BURNING IS NOT THE SAME AS FIRE PITS

...as has now been explained several times in this thread.

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

If MoCo didn't want fire pits, the rec dept wouldn't be renting them.

Doesn’t mean legal

Home Depot in Bethesda sells round up which is illegal to use in MoCo