Open-Air Burning - Camp Fire, Chimineas, Fire Pits

Open-Air Burning in Burlington:

• Open-air burning is not permitted in urban areas [properties south of Dundas Street/HWY 407). 
• Open-air burning is allowed within designated rural areas. Please refer to the map below for the approved areas for open-air burning.
• Permits are required for any residence burning within the approved open-air burning areas.

Changes to Burlington's Open-Air Burning Bylaw:

The City of Burlington has made changes to the Open-Air Burning Bylaw 65-2019 effective immediately along with changes to open-air burning permits.

Below are some of the changes:

• All permits require a site visit from the Burlington Fire Department.
• All permits and renewals completed between 2020-2022 are a lifetime permit, with exception of North Aldershot.
• Permit holders are not required to call the Burlington Fire Department before or after burning.
• Fires of any kind are not permitted within the urban boundaries. This includes chimineas.

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 Burlington Fire Department.
• Permits are valid only for the length of the pilot project, March 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2022.
• Permit holders are not required to call the Burlington Fire Department before or after burning.

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

Due to the impact of open-air burning on our health and environment, burning brush should be considered a last resort. Rural residents are encouraged to take their unwanted brush to Halton Waste Management Site. If possible, mulching or recycling are also preferred options.

Outdoor Fire Devices

While fires of any kind are not permitted within the urban areas of Burlington, exemptions include:

• Fire tables/bowls, chimineas and other outdoor burning devices that use propane or natural gas as fuel are allowed in all areas of the city, except apartment building balconies and where prohibited by condominium corporation rules.
• Permission is not required for open-air burning that consists of small, confined fire, supervised at all times, and used to cook food on a grill, barbecue or spit that is proportionate to the type and quantity of food being cooked.

Apply for an open air burn permit

If you have a concern that someone in your neighbourhood is burning and causing a safety concern, please call 905-637-8253.

• You will be asked to provide some information, such as the location of the burning and a phone number where you can be reached. This information is considered confidential and is used if the responding firefighters require more details to locate the burning.
• The person doing the burning will not be told where the call came from.
• An emergency response vehicle will be dispatched to deal with the issue.
• If required, the fire will be extinguished and the person doing the burning will be given a written notice to stop future burning.
• The property owner may have to pay fees and charges under the Ontario Fire Code.