Huntington's Fire Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fire regulations a little differently. In Huntington, New York, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Smoke Detectors

Every residential dwelling unit in Huntington must have working smoke alarms regardless of occupant load. Section 124-50 fixes placement near bedrooms and on each floor including basements, and makes it unlawful for an owner or person-in-charge to let an installed alarm go dead or inoperative.

Key details: Section: § 124-50, Smoke Alarms. Added: 5-3-2011 by L.L. No. 17-2011. Coverage: Every floor incl. basements, not crawl spaces. Power source: Hardwired plus battery backup, § 124-51. Maintenance duty: Operative condition required at all times.

Failing to install a required smoke alarm violates Section 124-50(A); wrong placement, missing coverage near a sleeping area or on a required floor, violates Subsection (B); and an alarm left dead, disconnected or missing its battery violates Subsection (C) as an independent, ongoing offense. Wiring an alarm without the required battery backup or a disconnecting switch other than for over-current protection additionally violates Section 124-51.

Outdoor Burning

Huntington bans open burning anywhere in town if the fire pile exceeds three feet in diameter or two feet in height, with narrow carve-outs for organic agricultural waste on large working farms and organized live-fire training. Burning rubbish, pesticides or plastics outright is banned regardless of size.

Key details: Size cap: 3 ft diameter, 2 ft height max. Rubbish/plastics burning: Banned outright, any size. Farm exemption: 5+ acre contiguous ag land only. Training exemption: Organized fire company/district only. First-offense fine: $500 to $2,000.

A violation of § 111-96 or § 111-97 is prosecuted under the Chapter 111 general penalty at § 111-125: a first conviction is $500 to $2,000; a second conviction within five years is $1,000 to $10,000; a third or subsequent conviction within five years is a misdemeanor carrying $1,500 to $15,000 or up to six months' imprisonment, or both. Each day a violation continues is charged as a separate offense, and the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication may impose the same fine ranges.

Compared to other cities, Huntington takes a harder line on outdoor burning. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires

Huntington allows recreational fires such as backyard fire pits only if they stay under three feet in diameter and two feet high, burn only charcoal or dry untreated wood, sit far enough from property lines and structures, are never left unattended, and have a fire extinguisher on hand.

Key details: Max size: 3 ft diameter, 2 ft height. Fuel allowed: Charcoal or dry, untreated wood only. Setback, uncontained fire: 50 ft from property line/structure. Setback, contained (pit/barbecue): 25 ft from property line/structure. Extinguisher required: Minimum 4-A rated, on-site.

Violating any of the § 111-97(C) recreational-fire conditions is enforced under the Chapter 111 general penalty at § 111-125: a first conviction is punishable by a fine of $500 to $2,000; a second conviction within five years by $1,000 to $10,000; and a third or subsequent conviction within five years is a misdemeanor carrying $1,500 to $15,000 or up to six months' imprisonment, or both. Each day a noncompliant fire continues counts as a separate offense.

Propane Storage

The Town of Huntington requires anyone who stores, handles, dispenses or uses liquefied petroleum gas to first obtain an operational permit from the Bureau of Fire Prevention. Skipping the permit is a chargeable violation of the Fire Prevention Code, separate from any NFPA 58 installation standards the fire code official applies once a permit application is filed.

Key details: Permit authority: Bureau of Fire Prevention. Trigger: Any storage, handling, dispensing or use of LP-gas. First-offense fine: $500 to $2,000. Repeat offense (5 yrs): Up to $10,000 or misdemeanor. Code chapter: Ch. 111, Art. VII Operational Permits.

Operating without the required LP-gas permit is enforced under the Chapter 111 general penalty at § 111-125: a first conviction carries a fine of $500 to $2,000; a second conviction within five years, $1,000 to $10,000; and a third or subsequent conviction within five years is a misdemeanor punishable by $1,500 to $15,000 or up to six months in jail, or both. Each day the unpermitted storage or use continues is a separate offense, and the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication can impose the same fine ranges administratively.

The Bottom Line

Huntington's fire regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Huntington is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Huntington can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.