Burn Bans, Permits and By-Laws

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

Regular burn permit (cubic metre) 

Cost: $14.00

• 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: $60.00

• 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: $25.00

• 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: $47.00

• 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: $25.00

• 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

Did you know you can now apply for Agricultural burn permits online? Visit our Public Access Portal, to create an account and complete your applications from the comfort of your own home! Follow the link below:

Apply for Agricultural Burn Permits

Agricultural special burn permit 

Cost: $47.00

• 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

Did you know you can now apply for Agricultural burn permits online? Visit our Public Access Portal, to create an account and complete your applications from the comfort of your own home! Follow the link below:

Apply for Agricultural Burn Permits

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.