No to firepit fees; let UTVs roam Lakes

Feb 04, 3998 |

Firepits are common these days in their various forms, from screened metal bowls to artfully crafted pottery models.

Walmart.com lists 229 models and related items ranging in price from $21.99 to $1,899.88.

Apparently, the City of Columbus figures if Walmart can cash in on this backyard item so can the city. A proposed annual fee of $15 was included in a draft ordinance discussed last week at the council’s Public Property, Safety and Works Committee.

We did a bit of Internet searching and found plenty of information about firepit ordinances, but few that included fees. One included a one-time inspection fee for a visit from the fire chief to ensure the pit conformed to the ordinance.

As it stands now in Columbus, firepits are illegal in the city under the open burning law. This turns dozens of otherwise law-abiding citizens into scofflaws.

Firepits, extravagant or humble, pose a danger if not properly attended. An ordinance of some sort seems to be an obvious need, but it should be aimed at ensuring safety. The idea of an annual fee seems preposterous. Unless someone had a superdeluxe model, the fees would soon outstrip the original cost of the pit.

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