Burn Bans, Permits and By-Laws

Campfires - permit not required

A person may have an open fire without obtaining a permit 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 60 cm (2 feet) in diameter;
• the fire area is supervised at all times by an adult person;
• the fire area is within an approved area, burn barrel, 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 15 m from any building or other structures and 5 m from any fences, trees brush piles or combustible materials and property lines.

 Burn barrels - permit not required 

Burn barrels are permitted under the following conditions:

• burn barrel is not used in a built up area
• barrel must be constructed of metal and be in good condition
• a heavy duty screen with mesh not greater than 7 mm is placed on top of the barrel
• holes must be punched in the side of the barrel
• 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 m radius around the barrel
• draft holes at the bottom of the barrel are no larger than 2.5 cm in diameter

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
• They may be used during an imposed burn ban
• They do not produce smoke or odours that irritate neighbours

Regular burn permit

  2020 Cost: $11.00

• required for fires up to 1 m3
• valid for one burn event
• burn events must be conducted a minimum of 15 m from any building or other structures and 5 m from any fences, trees brush piles or combustible materials and property lines.

Annual regular burn permit 

 2020 Cost: $54.00

• required for fires up to 1 m3
• valid until December 31 of the year issued
• burn events must be conducted a minimum of 15 m from any building or other structures and 5 m from any fences, trees brush piles or combustible materials and property lines.

Special burn permit

 2020 Cost: $22.00

• required for fires larger than 1 m3
• valid for one burn event
• special provisions for containment and control may be required
• a site visit may be required

Long term special burn permit

2020 Cost: $43.00

• required for fires larger than 1 m3
• 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

Agricultural burn permit

 2020 Cost: $22.00

• 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 3 m by 3 m
• burns must be at least 50 m away from buildings and 25 m away from trees, fences, brush piles or other combustible materials

Agricultural special burn permit 

2020 Cost: $43.00

• required for burns on farm properties that are part of normal farm practices
• burn size exceeding 3 m by 3 m
• burns must be at least 50 m away from buildings and 25 m 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.