Skip to Content

City of Burlington Logo City of Burlington Logo

Text Size

Regular Large X-Large

Colour Contrast

Regular High

Accessible formats and communication supports are available.

View our Accessibility page

  • Careers
  • Public Engagement
  • Service Burlington
City of Burlington Logo
  • Recreation
    • Accessible Recreation
      • Accessible Recreation Programs
    • Adult 19 and 55 Programs
      • Adult Programs
    • Children’s Programs
      • Explore Children's Programs (Youth 0-18)
    • Drop-in Programs
    • Family Programs
    • Music
      • Burlington Teen Tour Band
      • Music Programs
    • Outdoor Play
      • Outdoor Programs
    • Passes and Memberships
      • Active5 Pass
    • Pickleball
    • Registering for a Program
      • Code of Conduct
      • Explore all Programs
      • HIGH FIVE Accreditation
      • Recreation Fee Assistance
    • Skating
      • Explore Skating
    • Student Theatre Programs
    • Summer Camps and School Break Programs
      • Park Play
      • School Break Programs
      • Summer Camps
        • Summer Camp Information for Parents
        • Summer Camp Programs
    • Swimming and Aquatic Programs
      • Aquatic Fitness
      • Aquatic Leadership Courses
      • Lap Swim
      • Swimming Lessons
    • Volunteering Opportunities
  • Applications, Licences and Permits
    • Building Permits
    • Burn Permits
    • Business Licences
    • Claims
    • Development Applications
    • Dog Licences
    • Freedom of Information
    • Festival and Event Applications
    • Liquor Licences
    • Lottery Licences
    • Marriages
      • Marriage Certificates
      • Marriage Licences
    • Parking
    • Pool Permits
    • Rent a Facility or Park
    • Road and Transportation Permits
    • Sign Permits
    • Speak at a Meeting
    • Specialized Transit
    • Temporary Outdoor Patios
    • Tournament Applications
  • Arts, Culture and Events
    • Art
    • Arts and Culture Fund
    • Arts and Culture in Burlington
    • Calendar of Events
    • Cultural Map
    • Downtown Burlington
      • Downtown Waterfront
    • Festivals and Events
      • Canada Day
      • Concerts in the Park
      • Culture Days
      • Festival and Event Applications
      • Food for Feedback
      • Kids Mini Fest
      • Movies Under the Stars
      • Remembrance Day
      • Santa Claus Parade
      • Vendor Opportunities
    • History and Heritage
      • Doors Open Burlington
      • Heritage Conservation Planning
    • Libraries
    • Local Farms, Community Gardens and Markets
    • Music
    • Story Maps
    • Theatres
    • Twin Cities Apeldoorn and Itabashi
    • Visiting Burlington
  • Building and Renovating
    • Basement Flooding
    • Booking an Inspection
    • Building Permits
      • Applying for a Building Permit
      • Building Permit Process
      • Check the Status of a Permit
      • Demolitions
    • Building Records, Statistics and Reports
    • Call Before You Dig
    • Design Standards
      • Accessibility Design Standards
      • Engineering Standard Drawings
      • Standard Specifications
    • Development Charges
    • Driveways and Curbs
    • Fences
    • Home Construction and Renovation
    • Pool Permits
    • Property Standards
    • Sign Permits
    • Zoning
  • Business in Burlington
    • Advertising and Sponsorship
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Economic Development
    • Business Licences
      • Adult Entertainment Licences
      • Group Homes
      • Public Vehicle Licences
    • Filming in Burlington
    • Halton Region Small Business Centre
    • Red Tape Red Carpet Task Force
    • Sign Permits
    • Starting a Business
    • TechPlace
    • Temporary Outdoor Patios
    • Zoning
  • By-laws and Animal Services
    • By-laws
      • Animal Control By-law
      • By-law Enforcement
      • Frequently Requested By-laws
      • Search By-laws
    • Dog Licences
    • Donations
    • Educational Programs
    • Leash-Free Dog Parks
    • Lost Pets
    • Pet Adoption
    • Rabies
    • Report an Issue
    • Wildlife
      • Coyotes
  • Community Supports
    • Accessibility
      • Accessibility Design Standards
      • Accessibility Legislation in Ontario
      • Accessible Parking Permits
      • Accessible Recreation
      • Corporate Accessibility Policy
      • Service Animals
    • Active Aging Plan
    • Community Funding and Grant Programs
    • Community Hub
    • Community Partners
    • Lending Library
    • Love My Neighbourhood
    • Key to the City
    • Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund
    • Neighbourhood Connectors
    • Neighbourhood Rinks
    • New to the Community
    • Recreation Fee Assistance
    • Volunteering Opportunities
  • Council and City Administration
    • Accountability and Transparency
      • Audit Committee
      • Closed Meeting Investigations
      • Conflicts of Interest Registry
      • Council Remuneration and Expenses
      • Freedom of Information
      • Integrity Commissioner
      • Lobbyist Registry
      • Office of the Ombudsman
    • Agendas and Minutes
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Budget and Finances
      • Approved Budget Book
      • Financial Statements
      • Property Taxes
      • Proposed Budget
      • Public Sector Salary Disclosure
    • By-laws
    • Careers
    • City Administration
      • Accounts Payable
      • City Manager
      • Corporate Policies
      • Departments
      • Job Descriptions
    • Claims
    • Commissioner of Oaths and Declarations
    • Committees and Boards
      • Accessibility Advisory Committee
      • Agricultural and Rural Affairs Advisory Committee
      • Apply to a Board or Committee
      • Council and Committee Meetings
      • Council Remuneration Review Working Group
      • Cycling Advisory Committee
      • Downtown Parking Advisory Committee
      • Greater Bay Area Sub-Committee
      • Heritage Burlington Advisory Committee
      • Inclusivity Advisory Committee
      • Integrated Transportation Advisory Committee
      • Joint Compliance Audit Committee
      • Mayor's Millennial Advisory Committee
      • Mundialization Committee
      • Seniors' Advisory Committee
      • Speak at a Meeting
      • Standing Committees of Council
      • Sustainable Development Advisory Committee
    • Contact Us
    • Council
      • Communicating with City Council
      • Council and Committee Meetings
      • Council Information Packages
      • Council Members and Wards
        • Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
          • Make a Request
            • Ask the Mayor
            • Congratulatory Letters and Certificates
            • Flag Raisings
            • Invite the Mayor
            • Request a Meeting with the Mayor
          • Mayor's Meetings and Events
          • Request a Proclamation
        • Ward 1 - Councillor Kelvin Galbraith
          • Ward 1 News, Meetings and Events
        • Ward 2 - Councillor Lisa Kearns
          • Ward 2 News, Meetings and Events
        • Ward 3 - Councillor Rory Nisan
          • Ward 3 News, Meetings and Events
        • Ward 4 - Councillor Shawna Stolte
          • Ward 4 News, Meetings and Events
        • Ward 5 - Councillor Paul Sharman
          • Ward 5 News, Meetings and Events
        • Ward 6 - Councillor Angelo Bentivegna
          • Ward 6 News, Meetings and Events
      • Speak at a Meeting
      • Standing Committees of Council
        • Audit Committee
        • Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility Committee
        • Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability Committee
        • Council Workshop Committee
        • Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services Committee
    • Elections
    • Initiative Projects
      • Burlington One Brand Project
      • Park Dedication Bylaw
      • Parks Provisioning Master Plan (PPMP)
      • Red Tape Red Carpet Task Force
        • Red Tape Red Carpet Progress Reporting
      • Rural Internet Installation
    • Open Data
    • Plans, Reports and Studies
      • 2018-2022 Burlington’s Plan: From Vision to Focus
      • Active Aging Plan
      • Asset Management Plan
      • Audit and Accountability Fund - Web Architecture Review Report
      • Climate Action Plan
      • Framework for Recreation
      • Integrated Mobility Plan
      • Legal Cannabis and the City of Burlington
      • Lowville Park Master Plan
      • Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
      • Service Delivery Plans
      • Strategic Plan
      • Transit Business Plan
      • Waterfront Hotel Planning Study
      • Young Tree Pilot Study
    • Public Engagement
    • Volunteering Opportunities
    • Service Burlington
  • Halton Court Services
    • About Us
      • Common Legal Terms
      • FAQs
    • Court News and Notices
    • For Defendants
      • File an Appeal
    • For Enforcement Agencies
  • Home, Property and Environment
    • Building and Renovating
    • Construction in Your Neighbourhood
    • Environment
      • Climate Change and Air Quality
      • Electric Vehicles
      • Environmental Assessment Projects
      • Energy Initiatives
        • Energy and Buildings
        • Energy and City Operations
      • Environmental Programs
      • Idling
      • Local Food
      • Stormwater Management Projects
      • Water and Stormwater
      • Yellow Fish Road Program
    • Forestry
      • Burlington Honour Roll of Trees
      • City Trees and You
      • Forest Protection and Tree Permits
        • Tree Permit Application
      • Tree Pests and Diseases
      • Tree Planting and Care
      • Tree Stump Removal
    • Garbage, Recycling and Leaf Collection
      • Halton Waste Management Site
      • Household Hazardous Waste
      • Leaf Collection
      • Litter and Clean ups
      • Yard Waste
    • Maps
    • Open Air Burning - Campfires, Chimineas, Fire Pits
    • Property Information Request
    • Property Taxes
    • Utilities
      • Rural Internet Installation
  • Parks, Facilities and Rentals
    • Advertising and Sponsorship
      • Adopt-A-Flowerbed
      • Arena Advertising
      • Display Cases
      • Donations in Honour and Memory
      • Flyer Slots
      • Read-o-Graph Signs
      • Wall, Window and Floor Advertising
    • Amphitheatres
    • Arenas and Ice Centres
    • Banquet Centres
    • Cemeteries
    • Community Centres
    • Facility Construction Projects
    • Facility, Sports Field and Pool Closures
    • Gyms
    • Leash-Free Dog Parks
    • Libraries
    • Marina
    • Parks and Facilities Directory
    • Park Renewal Projects
    • Picnics
    • Pools, Splash Pads and Spray Parks
    • Rent a Facility or Park
      • Explore Facility and Park Rentals
    • Rooms and Auditoriums
    • Sports Fields
    • Trails and Bikeways
  • Planning and Development
    • City-wide Parking Standards
    • Community Benefits Charge
    • Current Development Projects
      • Ward 1
      • Ward 2
      • Ward 3
      • Ward 4
      • Ward 5
      • Ward 6
    • Development Applications
      • Burlington Planning Process
      • Committee of Adjustment
        • Applications for Consent
        • Minor Variances
      • Demolitions
      • Grading and Drainage Clearance Certificate
      • Official Plan Amendments
      • Part Lot Control
      • Required Background Studies
      • Site Alteration Permits
      • Site Plans
      • Subdivisions
      • Zoning
    • Development Charges
    • Heritage Conservation Planning
      • Municipal Cultural Heritage Register
      • Supporting Burlington's Heritage
    • Official Plan
    • Property Information Request
    • Urban Design
    • Zoning
      • Zoning By-Law Amendments
        • Search Zoning By-Law Amendments
      • Zoning Clearance Certificates
  • Property Taxes
    • Paying Property Taxes
      • How Your Taxes are Used
      • Pre-Authorized Tax Payment Plans
    • Property Assessments
      • Assessment Appeals
    • Rebates and Deferrals
      • Heritage Property Tax Rebate
      • Low-Income Seniors Property Tax Rebate
      • Older Adults Property Tax Deferral Program
      • Registered Charity Rebates
    • Tax Adjustments Applications
    • Tax Certificates
    • Update Your Address or Property Ownership
  • Fire and Emergency Services
    • Ambulance and Paramedic Services
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
    • Emergency Notifications
    • Emergency Plan and Preparedness
    • Fire Department
      • Fire and Public Safety Education
        • Apartment Fire Safety
        • Babysitting Safety
        • Barbecue Safety
        • Barn Fire Prevention
        • Carbon Monoxide
        • Cooking Fire Safety
        • Family Fire Escape Plan
        • Fire and Life Safety for People with a Disability
        • Fire Extinguishers
        • Fire Prevention Week
        • Fireplaces and Woodstoves
        • Fireworks
        • Heating Safety
        • Open Air Burning - Campfires, Chimineas, Fire Pits
        • Smoke Alarms
        • Smoking Fire Safety
      • Fire Department - About Us
      • Fire Station Locations
      • Fire Programs and Services
        • Alarm Assistance Program
        • Burn Permits
        • Fire Inspections and Enforcement
      • Working with the Fire Department
    • Health and Safety Notices
    • Police Service
    • Stormwater Safety
  • Roads, Parking and Traffic
    • Cycling
    • Driveways and Curbs
    • Electric Vehicles
    • Leaf Collection
    • Parking
      • Accessible Parking Permits
      • Paid Parking and Reservations
      • Parking Exemptions
      • Parking in Downtown Burlington
      • Parking Permits
      • Paying a Parking Ticket
      • Winter Parking
    • Report an Issue
    • Road and Sidewalk Maintenance
    • Road and Transportation Construction Projects
    • Road Closures and Restrictions
    • Road and Transportation Permits
    • Snow Removal
      • Snow Control Updates
      • Snow Removal Plan
      • Windrow Clearing for Persons with Disabilities
      • Winter Parking
    • Traffic Safety
      • Pedestrian Crossovers and Crossing Guards
      • Speeding and Aggressive Driving
    • Transit
  • Transit
    • About Us
      • Advertising
      • Contact Us
    • Fares and Passes
      • Adults 65 Ride for Free
      • Connections and Transfers
      • Fares
      • Low Income Pass
      • PRESTO Cards
        • PRESTO Contactless
      • Single-Ride Vouchers
      • Students Passes
    • Riding With Us
      • Accessibility
      • Bike Racks
      • Lost and Found
      • Specialized Transit
    • Schedules and Routes
      • Connections and Transfers
      • Plan a Trip
      • Real-Time Bus Arrival Times
      • Schedules and Maps
      • Transit Updates and Changes
    • MyRide
  • News and Notices
    • All News and Notices
    • Calendar of Events
    • City Meeting Calendar
    • City Talk
    • Extreme Weather Alerts
    • Facility, Sports Field and Pool Closures
    • Halton Court Services news
    • Health and Safety Notices
    • Media Releases
      • Media Contacts
    • Public Notices
    • Road Closures and Restrictions
    • Service Disruptions
    • Snow Control Updates
    • Transit Updates and Changes
    • Subscribe

Fire and Emergency Services

Home...Fire DepartmentFire Programs and ServicesBurn Permits
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Burn Permits

Open-air burning is not permitted in urban areas in the City of Burlington. Open-air burning is a fire hazard and poses a risk to nearby homes, sheds, decks and landscape material. It is only allowed in designated rural areas.

If you live within a designated open-air burning area, you need to have an Open-Air Burning Permit before burning.

Apply for an open-air burn permit

Request an open-air burning permit

You can submit a request for a free open-air burning permit or contact us at 905-637-9536 to request one. 

What qualifies as open-air burning?

Chimneys, fire pits, and outdoor fireplaces are considered open-air burning. Permits will only be issued for camp fires, cooking fires and open-air burning of leaves, brush, wood or other approved material. Burning garbage or petroleum-based products such as tires, shingles or plastics is strictly prohibited.

Due to the impact of open-air burning on our health and environment, burning brush should be considered a last resort. We encourage rural (and urban) residents to take their unwanted brush to the Halton Waste Management Site. Mulching or recycling are also preferred options, if possible.

 
Burn site inspections
A Fire Prevention Inspector will conduct a burn site inspection for all new open-air burning permit requests. Once we have received your permit request, we will schedule a burn site inspection. Provided you remain the property owner, any new and renewed permits issued after 2020 will not expire, with the exception of North Aldershot. Annual burn site inspections are not required unless the site location has changed. Permit holders are not required to call the Burlington Fire Department before or after burning. 

North Aldershot open-air burning permit pilot project

As part of a pilot project, residents in North Aldershot can apply for an open-air burning permit between March 1, 2021 and Dec. 31, 2022. All permits require a site visit and approval from the fire department. Permits are valid only for the length of the pilot project.

Permits can be cancelled at any time at the discretion of the Burlington Fire Department.

Outdoor fire device exceptions

While fires of any kind are not permitted within the urban areas of Burlington, there are exceptions.

Outdoor cooking fires
Open-air burning that consists of a small, confined fire used to cook food on a grill, barbeque or spit is permitted. The fire must be supervised at all times and must be appropriately sized for the type and amount of food being cooked. Units designed for cooking must be used for that purpose only and must be extinguished immediately after cooking. 
Natural gas and propane units
Fire tables or bowls, chimineas and other outdoor burning devices that use propane or natural gas as fuel are permitted. They do not produce smoke or odours that can irritate neighbours. They are not permitted on apartment building balconies or where prohibited by condominium corporation rules. 

Make a complaint

If you suspect open-air burning in a non-designated area or would like to make a complaint about an active fire, please contact us at 905-637-8253.

You will be asked to provide your phone number and the location of the burning. This information is confidential and is only used if the responding firefighters require more details to locate the burning. We will dispatch an emergency response vehicle to deal with the issue and your call will remain anonymous. If required, we will extinguish the fire and give the person a written notice to stop future burning. The property owner may have to pay fees and charges under the Ontario Fire Code.

Smog alert days and fire bans

Burning may be suspended due to local smog advisories or dry weather. If you are unsure, please contact us at 905-637-8253.

The use of any open flame devices is discouraged during these conditions, including:

  • Barbecues
  • Candles
  • Patio torches
  • Propane or natural gas fire pits
  • Weed torches

Open-air burning bylaw and governance

Open-air burning is governed under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Fire Code.

Review our Open-air Burning Bylaw (By-law 065-2019) to learn more about how we regulate burning and issue burning permits.

Fire and Emergency Services
    • Ambulance and Paramedic Services
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
    • Emergency Notifications
    • Emergency Plan and Preparedness
    • Fire Department
      • Fire and Public Safety Education
        • Apartment Fire Safety
        • Babysitting Safety
        • Barbecue Safety
        • Barn Fire Prevention
        • Carbon Monoxide
        • Cooking Fire Safety
        • Family Fire Escape Plan
        • Fire and Life Safety for People with a Disability
        • Fire Extinguishers
        • Fire Prevention Week
        • Fireplaces and Woodstoves
        • Fireworks
        • Heating Safety
        • Open Air Burning - Campfires, Chimineas, Fire Pits
        • Smoke Alarms
        • Smoking Fire Safety
      • Fire Department - About Us
      • Fire Station Locations
      • Fire Programs and Services
        • Alarm Assistance Program
        • Burn Permits
        • Fire Inspections and Enforcement
      • Working with the Fire Department
    • Health and Safety Notices
    • Police Service
    • Stormwater Safety

Contact Us

Subscribe To Page Updates

City of Burlington footer logo

426 Brant Street, PO Box 5013,
Burlington, Ontario L7R 3Z6

Email: city@burlington.ca
Phone: 905-335-7777

Follow Us

  • View View our Facebook Page
  • View View our Twitter Page
  • View View our Instagram Page
  • View View our YouTube Page
  • View View our LinkedIn Page
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Sitemap
  • Website Feedback
  • Contact Us
  • Social Media Commenting Guidelines
  • Land Acknowledgement
Copyright © 2022 Burlington By GHD Digital

Connect with Burlington

Stay up to date on Burlington activities, events, programs and operations by subscribing to our many eNewsletters.

Sign Up Now