Learn More: Grand Rapids Smoke Abatement Ordinance, Amendment 1905

This is a supplemental piece associated with a photo essay titled "Air Pollution in Grand Rapids 100 Years Ago". View the essay or search our archive for additional information about this topic. You can also view a complete list of our supplemental essays.

An ordinance to amend Section 2 of an ordinance entitled, an ordinance “Defining and Preventing Smoke Nuisance in the City of Grand Rapids”

Passed April 25, 1898

The Common Council of the City of Grand Rapids doth ordain as follows: That Section 2 of an Ordinance entitled as aforesaid be, and the same hereby is amended so as to read as follows:

Section 2. (repeats original material and adds the following change) Provided, the provisions of this ordinance shall not apply to the escape of dense smoke containing soot or other deleterious substance from any stack, flue or chimney for a period of not exceeding five minutes during the time when a fire box or a furnace is necessarily being cleaned out or a new fire built, but the escape of dense smoke containing soot or other deleterious substances shall not be permitted or allowed for such period of time oftener than once in four consecutive hours. 

Proceedings of the Common Council, December 18, 1905, page 644