Is that a local ordinance, or a state statute? I am wondering if there is something like that where I am living because I have stacks of split wood all over the place. Kind of silly to require the rounds get stacked.
What happens if you leave the tree sitting on the ground? Does the statute require that splits be stacked immediately too?
Stacks should rarely if ever cause any problems. Piles might be another story. Downed trees that go uncut would definitely be a problem around here.
It's a county ordinance where I live. (I'm in a different county than you) I can't answer every question you asked, but I'm quite sure about the stacking thing. Basically any tree that comes down must be cut up and either removed from your property or stacked. It mentions nothing about splitting prior to stacking. I'm sure it is mostly about minimizing unsightliness. They could care less whether it is intended for firewood or not.
Now as to whether it's enforced or not, that is a totally different issue. Either there would have to be a neighbor complaint or an accidental sighting by one of the code enforcement people. Then they would 'have to' write you up and demand the stacking. They (fortunately) can't be everywhere. But if you give them an excuse to write you up, they may feel free to also write you up for any other visible infractions if they feel like it. Best to try to keep a low profile.
The whole thing that started me out in wood burning was that a neighbor sic-ed the county on me over a dead tree. He never even bothered to first contact me personally to discuss the matter. Yeah, nice neighbors. I was looking at 3-4 thousand dollars initially to have it removed. But the county's backlog ended up allowing me enough breathing room (time) to get more estimates until I got it down to around 1500. Still, it hurt me financially. Most expensive 3-4 cords of Oak I've burned so far (I'm a scrounger).
Even in the same state, different counties can have very different rules, oftentimes. Over here, the locals are aggressive. There is no point in going up against them, you are ultimately going to lose, and they have deep enough pockets to make you miserable if you want to try to buck them. There have been a few notable cases in this area that dragged on for years, but the county always prevailed ultimately. Their lawyers just relentlessly wear you down. I would never get involved in such a situation myself- I know a lost cause when I see one. Just cave and cut your losses.
Wood
stacks? No problem IMO. BTW my expensively felled Oak lay around in my back yard as rounds for about three years, unchallenged, before I got around to splitting it all up. No more neighbor complaints, I guess. But I'm darned sure that they checked to verify that the tree did come down. Once they're on it, they'll never give up. Think 'Pit Bull'.