AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE REGULATING
OPEN FIELD ASPARAGUS BURNING IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY
The Board of Supervisors of the County of Riverside Ordains as follows:
Section 1. PURPOSE AND INTENT. The purpose of this ordinance is to establish regulations for open-field burning of asparagus in the Coachella Valley. Unregulated burning may significantly reduce air quality, thereby requiring controls over the method, time and days for allowing for such activity.
Section 2. MONTHS ALLOWABLE. Burning shall be allowed only in the months of November, December and January, and then only on those days determined by the local National Weather Service to be favorable burn days or on days not otherwise excluded by this ordinance.
Section 3. DAYS ALLOWABLE. No permit for open-field asparagus burning shall be issued for weekends, national or state holidays, or major public events (e.g., golf tournaments, balloon festivals) as determined by the ordinance enforcement authority.
Section 4. HOURS ALLOWABLE. All burning, pursuant to this ordinance, shall be commenced between the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Burning commenced prior to 2:00 p.m. may continue to 4:00 p.m., at which time all burning must be complete.
Section 5. ISSUANCE OF PERMIT. Prior to any open field asparagus burn, a permit must be issued by the nearest Fire Station. It is the responsibility of any individual or entity preparing to burn to contact the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) the morning of any actual burning and obtain permission for such activity, and thereafter, notice must be given to the local Fire Station that issued the permit.
Section 6. METHOD OF BURNING. Wherever possible, fields shall first be ignited on the downwind perimeter side, followed b igniting the remainder of the perimeter.
Section 7. ENFORCEMENT. Riverside County Fire Department shall be responsible for issuance of permits/permission to burn and shall issue citations to individuals/entities who conduct such burning without first obtaining the required permit/permission.
Section 8. VIOLATION. Any person violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be guilty of an infraction and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by: (1) a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00); (2) a fine not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200.00) for the second violation within one (1) year; (3) a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00)
for each additional violation after the second violation within one (1) year. Each day such violation is committed or permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense.
Section 9. SEVERABILITY. If any provision, clause, sentence or paragraph of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person, establishment or circumstances shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions or application of the provisions of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application and, to this end, the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared to be severable.
Section 10. SECTION HEADINGS. The section headings herein are for convenience only, and shall not be deemed to govern, limit, modify or in any manner affect the scope, meaning or intent of the provisions or language of the ordinance.
Section 11. This ordinance shall take effect thirty days after the date of adoption.
Adopted: 12-1-87 (Eff.: 12-31-87)