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Burn Bans, Permits and By-Laws

Burn Index: High

The current burn hazard index is HIGH

LOW: Please Burn Responsibly

MODERATE: Please use caution when burning

HIGH: Please use extreme caution when burning

EXTREME: A voluntary Burn Ban is in effect

BURN BAN: No open air burning is permitted

Open Air Burning 

What is Open-air Burning? Open burning or open-air burning means any fire or burning practice that is conducted outside a building and includes but is not limited to, small confined fires (e.g. campfires) and large confined fires, fires in burn barrels, in air curtain incinerators, outdoor recreational fireplaces (e.g. fire pits, fire bowls, fire rings, chimineas, etc.), prescribed burning, and construction site and demolition site fires.

Kawartha Lakes By-Law 2016-110 outlines all open air burning regulations in the City. You must meet these requirements when burning:

  • fires cannot be lit during burn bans
  • fires cannot be lit during the month of April, this annual burn ban may be extended due to dry weather conditions
  • fires cannot be lit during smog alerts
  • weather conditions must be good for clearing smoke
  • fires may not be lit when wind causes unsafe conditions
  • fires must be supervised by an adult at all times
  • fires must be fully extinguished at the completion of a burn event
  • equipment for controlling and extinguishing fires must be available at the burn location
  • clean dry wood is the only material that may be burned
  • painted or treated wood, leaves, grass clippings, garbage and other materials may not be burned
  • flying lanterns may not be sold or used within the City

Learn Before You Burn

Whether you are having a recreational campfire or open-air burn on your property, you could be invoiced/fined if you are:

  • Burning without a permit where required
  • Burning during the month of April or any other city-wide imposed burn ban
  • Burning anything other than natural wood/brush
  • Burning too close to combustibles/property boundaries and roadways
  • Not following other sections of the by-law

Remember, if Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service is called and no authorization has been obtained, you are liable to pay service fees for the response and/or charged under the Kawartha Lakes By-Law 2016-110 or both. The Consolidated Fees Bylaw provides further cost information.

Regardless of authorization, the person that starts the fire is responsible for any effect that fire or smoke may have on neighbouring persons or property.

Burn Complaints

During Active Burning (Kawartha Lakes Police and Fire Dispatch Non-Emergency)

705-324-2191

 

For complaints when burning is not active please contact the Municipal Law Enforcement Office
705-324-9411 extension 1212
Toll Free: 1-888-822-2225 ext 1212
Email By-Law Complaints

Note: You may be charged if you knowingly, repeatedly or spitefully cause a response from the Fire Department upon any person having an open fire under By-law 2016-110.

Campfire requirements (no permit required)

A person may have an open fire without obtaining a permit for the purpose of burning clean dry wood provided the conditions below are met, and/or providing no other City-wide or provincial burn bans are in effect:

  • The fire area is no larger than 60cm (2 feet) in diameter;
  • The fire area is supervised at all times by an adult person;
  • The fire area is within an approved area, or pit designed for said use;
  • The fire area does not violate any other laws, by-laws, rules or regulations including rules or regulations passed by any competent authority or otherwise set out in this By-law;
  • The fire area shall be a minimum of fifteen 15m from any building or other structures and 5m from any fences, trees brush piles or combustible materials and property lines.
  • Clean dry wood is the only material that may be burned. Painted or treated wood, leaves, grass clippings, garbage and other materials may not be burned.
  • Burning is not permitted during the month of April or during any other city-wide imposed burn ban.

 Burn barrel requirements (no permit required)

A burn barrel is not to be used in a built up area. As defined by By-law 2016-110 “built up area” means an area with buildings on one or both sides of the road with 23 metres or less between them with a minimum grouping of five buildings.  Building means school, church, residential dwelling, commercial and industrial structure.

Burn barrels are permitted under the following conditions (no permit required):

  • Barrel must be constructed of metal and be in good condition
  • A heavy duty screen with mesh not greater than 7mm is placed on top of the barrel
  • Draft holes at the bottom of the barrel are no larger than 2.5cm in diameter
  • Steel rods or pipe must be placed through the holes to hold burning material up and allow a fast burn
  • The ground must be cleared and free of vegetation in a 2 metre radius around the barrel
  • The fire area must be supervised at all times by an adult person
  • The fire area shall be a minimum of 15m from any building or other structures and 5m from any fences, trees brush piles or combustible materials and property lines.
  • Clean dry wood or brush is the only material that may be burned. Painted or treated wood, leaves, grass clippings, garbage and other materials may not be burned.
  • Burning is not permitted during the month of April or during any other city-wide imposed burn ban.

Natural gas and propane appliances

The by-law, however does not apply to propane or gas fuelled barbecues, grills, cooking appliances or gas fireplaces approved for outdoor use by the Technical  Standards and Technical Safety Authority of Ontario (T.S.S.A.) or other approval agency and listed by ULC or CSA.

  • They are not permitted on some apartment balconies or in condominium complexes (check your building's rules)
  • Be sure to review and follow all safety precautions noted with the unit
  • These appliances may be used during an imposed burn ban
  • They do not produce smoke or odours that irritate neighbours

Burn permits

Permits will not be issued within a “built up area” as defined by By-law 2016-110 “built up area” means an area with buildings on one or both sides of the road with 23 metres or less between them with a minimum grouping of five buildings.  Building means school, church, residential dwelling, commercial and industrial structure.

Open Air Burning Permits can be obtained by:

Visiting a Municipal Service Centre or completing the Burn Permit Application Online Form 

Once processed your permit will be emailed to you. Cheque and online payment options available.

Please note some types of permits may require the Fire Service to conduct a site visit. It can take up to seven business days for you to receive a site visit.

Regular burn permit (cubic metre) 

Cost: $13.00

  • Required for fires up to 1m3
  • Valid for one burn event
  • Burn events must be conducted a minimum of 15m from any building or other structures and 5m from any fences, trees brush piles or combustible materials and property lines.
  • Clean dry wood is the only material that may be burned. Painted or treated wood, leaves, grass clippings, garbage and other materials may not be burned
  • Burning is not permitted during the month of April or during any other city-wide imposed burn ban.

Annual regular burn permit (cubic metre) 

Cost: $58.00

  • Required for fires up to  1m3
  • Valid until December 31 of the year issued
  • Burn events must be conducted a minimum of 15m from any building or other structures and 5m from any fences, trees brush piles or combustible materials and property lines.
  • Clean dry wood is the only material that may be burned. Painted or treated wood, leaves, grass clippings, garbage and other materials may not be burned
  • Burning is not permitted during the month of April or during any other city-wide imposed burn ban.

Special burn permit

Cost: $24.00

  • Required for fires larger than 1m3
  • Valid for one burn event
  • Special provisions for containment and control may be required
  • A site visit may be required
  • Clean dry wood is the only material that may be burned. Painted or treated wood, leaves, grass clippings, garbage and other materials may not be burned
  • Special permits may be suspended during the month of April or during any other city-wide imposed burn ban

Long term special burn permit

Cost: $45.00

  • Required for fires larger than 1m3
  • Valid for multiple burn events held during a specific time frame
  • Special provisions for containment and control may be required
  • A site visit may be required
  • Clean dry wood is the only material that may be burned. Painted or treated wood, leaves, grass clippings, garbage and other materials may not be burned
  • Special permits may be suspended during the month of April or during any other city-wide imposed burn ban

Agricultural burn permit

Cost: $24.00

  • required for burns on farm properties that are part of normal farm practices
  • valid until December 31 of the year issued
  • maximum burn size of 3m by 3m
  • burns must be at least 50m away from buildings and 25m away from trees, fences, brush piles or other combustible materials

Agricultural special burn permit 

Cost: $45.00

  • Required for burns on farm properties that are part of normal farm practices
  • Burn size exceeding 3m by 3m
  • Burns must be at least 50m away from buildings and 25m away from trees, fences, brush piles or other combustible materials
  • A site visit may be required

Campgrounds, trailer parks and tourist camps 

If you own a campground, trailer park or tourist camp you must get an annual permit for campfires within your facility. You can do this by contacting the City Licensing Officer.

 

Fireworks

You need a permit to sell fireworks and perform a public display of fireworks within Kawartha Lakes as part of Firework By-Law 2007-236. Starting May 18, 2021, you will need a permit to use consumer fireworks on private property outside of the designated approved days.

Under By-Law 2007-236, permits have always been required for all types of display fireworks (professional fireworks such as pyrotechnic) and for consumer fireworks being discharged in public spaces, such as a park. The amendments to the By-law require residents to obtain a permit should they wish to discharge consumer fireworks on their own property for an event outside of the designated days and times outlined below.

The updated By-law limits the use of Consumer Fireworks without a permit, the day preceding, the day of, and the day following:

  • Family Day (February 19, 20, and 21, 2023)
  • Victoria Day (May 21, 22, and 23, 2023)
  • Indigenous Peoples Day (June 20, 21, and 22, 2023)
  • Canada Day (June 30, July 1, and 2, 2023) 
  • Labour Day (September 3, 4, and 5, 2023)
  • New Years Eve (December 30, 31, 2023 and January 1, 2024) 

In addition, fireworks on these days will only be allowed to be set off between dusk and 11pm. Should residents wish to use fireworks outside of authorized days, a consumer fireworks permit for a special event must be obtained.

Obtaining a permit
Cost: $53.00
To obtain a permit for consumer fireworks for a special event or celebration, residents will be required to fill out an online application form for review and approval by the municipality and pay the required fee. Fire Services will require an application to be submitted 30 days in advance for a consumer fireworks special event application.

Permit application for Public Display of Consumer or Display Fireworks (professional fireworks such as pyrotechnic and for consumer fireworks being discharged in public spaces, such as a park)

Permit application for Private Display of Consumer Fireworks (consumer fireworks on your own property for a special event outside of the designated days and times outlined above)

Application for Permit to Sell Fireworks

View the locations of approved permits for upcoming firework displays:


Other requirements to follow when using consumer fireworks include:

  • children shall not discharge fireworks
  • children may us a sparkler under the supervision of an adult
  • fireworks may not be discharged into any motor vehicle, building or structure
  • you must get written permission from the owner to discharge fireworks on property you do not own
  • fireworks shall be discharged a minimum of 30m from any structure or property line
  • fireworks may not be discharged closer than 100m from a church, school, residential care facility or place where explosives are sold or stored
  • fireworks may not be discharged during a burn ban
  • fireworks shall be discharged in accordance with the manufacturer's directions
  • fireworks are not to be discharged on municipal lands without authorization

 

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