Eagan Council Votes to Revise Outdoor Fire, Grilling Standards

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City officials stopped short of enacting an overnight recreational fire ban in Eagan on Tuesday, but the Eagan City Council did move ahead on new restrictions for grills and outdoor fireplaces.

Earlier this year, Chief Mike Scott and other city officials in Eagan. The move was a response to the high number of complaints the city received about bonfire smoke in the evening hours, Scott said.

While conducting research on the proposed amendment, however, Scott learned that an overnight fire ban had not been effective in other communities that enacted one.

As a result of the research, Scott scrapped the proposed overnight ban and said he intends to renew the fire department's focus on preventing residents from burning improper materials, like garbage, wet leaves and plywood.

But several other amendments to the city's fire code were unanimously approved on Tuesday by Eagan City Councilors.

Included in the approved amendments was a rule prohibiting residents of multi-family housing with three or more units sharing a conjoined hallway from using gas or electric grills on their outdoor balconies. Council members also approved an amendment requiring outdoor fireplaces to be built at least 15 feet from any combustible materials, which includes fences, sheds and homes.

Finally, the council also gave the green light to an amendment prohibiting the use of outdoor fireplaces or fire bowls on decks made out of wooden, composite or otherwise combustible materials.