Monitor Editor
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— The city council discussed its prohibition on trash burning during its April 4 meeting.
Mayor Karen Lake said she wanted to review the city ordinance after receiving a letter from one resident who asked why he could not burn trash at his home within the city limits.
Vice Mayor Steve Hart said the city law, which has been on the books since 1977, prohibits burning or burying trash within the city.
Clay County Emergency Management Director John Ward added that even if a city ordinance did not prohibit home-based incineration, yard burning on most city parcels would be illegal because of Florida Division of Forestry setback requirements.
He added that cases of illegal burning can either be handled by Keystone’s code enforcement department or the Division of Forestry.
He said the state usually issues warnings to first-time offenders and only tickets repeat violators.
