9.48 – Miscellaneous Offenses Regarding Property

It is unlawful to permit or store any combustible refuse in such a way as to create a fire hazard, or to store or throw any refuse of any kind on any alley, street or other public place in the city.

It is unlawful to cast, throw or propel any missile on any street, alley or public place; and it is unlawful to throw or deposit any glass, nails, tacks or other similar articles, on any street, sidewalk or alley in the city.

It shall be unlawful for any person to cause, suffer, allow or permit open burning of rubbish, refuse of any kind, grass, leaves, wood, garbage, metal salvage or any other matter in open fires; provided, however, an owner of residential property may burn or permit to be burned such substances as are reasonably necessary for the purpose of cooking food for the consumption by his or her family or guests; and provided, however, that other open burning may be permitted with a special permit issued by the Fire Chief or his designee, pursuant to Chapter 15.28 of the St. Charles Municipal Code, provided such burning shall not violate any Illinois or Federal statute, rules, or regulations, including those of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.  Any and all such open burning may be prohibited by the Fire Chief, his designee or the City Health Officer when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fire hazardous.

Any scaffolds or ladders placed in such a position that they overhang or can fall onto any public street, alley or other public place in the city, shall be firmly and properly constructed and safeguarded; and it is unlawful to place or leave any tool or article on any such place in such a manner that the same can fall into any such street, sidewalk, alley or other public place from a greater height than four feet.

It is unlawful to place any movable article on any window ledge, or other place abutting on a public street, alley or other place at a height above four feet from the ground, in such a manner that the same can be or is in danger of falling onto such sidewalk, street, alley or other public place.

It is unlawful to obstruct or permit the obstruction of any stairway, aisle, corridor or exit in any office building, factory, hotel, school, church, assembly hall, lodge or other public hall, or any building used by two or more tenants or families in such a manner that it interferes with the free use of such stairway, aisle, corridor or exit.

It is unlawful to install or maintain any fuel oil, gas or liquid gas tanks unless such tank and all equipment connected therewith is installed and maintained in accordance with the regulations of the state fire marshal or any other state agency having jurisdiction thereof.

It is unlawful to permit any unused or abandoned refrigerator, icebox or deep freeze or other freezers to remain in any place accessible to any child, without first removing the doors or breaking the hinges of the door or doors of any such icebox, refrigerator or freezer.