You may only purchase an open-air burning permit for residential properties that you own or if you are a tenant with the owner’s permission. Tenants are reminded that written consent from the homeowner will be required prior to issuance of a burning permit for rented properties.
Open-Air Burning Requirements
The Permit Holder Shall Adhere to All Provisions of Open-Air Burning By-law 2024-147, including but not limited to:
- Burn only clean dry firewood, charcoal or briquettes. Materials such as petroleum products, plastics rubber, painted materials, leaves, grass clippings and construction or demolition debris shall not be burned.
- Ensure the fire is contained in a non-combustible fire container (i.e. fire bowl, fire table, fireplace, chiminea or wood stove) or is in a pit on the ground surrounded by metal, masonry, ceramic or stone.
- Maintain 5 meters of clearance to all buildings, structures, decks, property lines, trees, hedges, fences, roadways, overhead wires or other combustible articles
- Burn less than 0.5 cubic meters of material at a time.
- Burning is permitted daily between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 pm only
- Ensure there is constant supervision and control over the open-air fire.
- Have an adequate water supply to contain or extinguish the fire.
- Completely extinguish the open-air fire before the site is vacated
- Open-air burning shall not be conducted on days where rain, fog, smog, high winds or any other weather condition prevents the proper dispersion of smoke.
- Be courteous to neighbours at all times and do not cause or permit a nuisance fire.
- Open-air burning is not permitted where it may cause a risk to human health.
- Fire Services or the M.N.R.F have the authority to issue a burn ban which would supersede all approvals to conduct open-air burning.
FAQs
Do I need a permit for Open-Air Burning?
Yes – All open air burning in Ontario requires approval by the Chief Fire Official (CFO).
What happens if I burn without a permit?
Failure to burn without approval is a provincial offence for which an individual can be charged. A charge can result in a penalty of up to $50,000 and up to one year imprisonment.
Are there other requirements?
Yes – The home must have working smoke alarms. If the alarms are not working, this is a Fire Code violation and must be corrected. For additional information see Smoke Alarms.