Burn Permits

Burning in built-up areas is a privilege. Please respect your neighbours and follow all regulations. If your neighbour has a complaint (e.g., smoke blowing in through windows, health concerns, etc.), we ask that you please be courteous and put out the fire. 

• Smoke from fire pits can cause adverse health effects to some people. Be aware of neighbours that may be negatively impacted to exposure of smoke from outdoor fire pits or outdoor fireplaces and follow this bylaw and fully understand your responsibilities.
• Some of your neighbours may have asthma, COPD, other conditions or may be required to be on oxygen. Smoke can worsen respiratory conditions and may have a negative impact on your neighbor’s health.
• Before using your fire pit, familiarize yourself with optimal wind conditions and take precautions to prevent smoke from disturbing your neighbours.
• High wind speeds may send smoke long distances or pose a fire hazard and not permitted when wind speeds meet or exceed 15km/hr.
• Low wind speeds will not easily disperse smoke and can contribute to poor air quality, very important you use clean seasoned firewood to ensure a hot, incipient fire is produced.
• Fire pit devices always require a screen cover.
• Placing a metal grill/screen on top of the fire pit reduces the flame's size and helps prevent sparks and embers from escaping and igniting nearby materials.
• Using clean, seasoned firewood will help with creating a hot fire that does not produce dense smoke.
• Ensure enough airflow is provided to any in ground fire pits, low oxygen can lead to smoky, smoldering fires.
• When you extinguish the fire, ensure that the fire is completely out, and no hot coals are left to cause a rekindle overnight or produce unpleasant odours.
• Never burn “Prohibited Materials” which can expose you, your family, pets and your neighbors to toxins, carcinogens, and dioxins.

Remember, failure to comply with the burn by-law can lead to charges or billing for fire response services.

The following terms and conditions are outlined in the permit to promote a safe, neighbour-friendly, and environmentally conscious way to conduct a backyard fire:

• You must have, readily available in the near the fire, all necessary Equipment and Resources to control fire spread (e.g. sufficient water nearby or other means to extinguish)
• The fire can’t be within 4m of a residential overhead wire or 7m of a powerline
• There is no burning allowed in a barrel or steel drum
• The smoke from the fire cannot decrease the visibility on a highway
• The fire cannot create an odour or smoke that would be likely to disturb anyone
• No burning when wind speeds are higher than 15 km/hr
• No burning when rainy or foggy weather are present or when a smog alert or advisory has been declared by the federal or provincial government for an area incorporating the Township
• The permit holder must be in attendance and continuously supervising the fire for which they received a Permit
• The permit holder must ensure that a fire is completely extinguished prior to leaving the location at which the fire occurred
• No burning of any Prohibited Materials (e.g. garbage/recyclables, yard waste, any wood products containing chemicals, etc.)
• You must not lose control of a fire such that it poses a danger to the health, safety or well-being of persons or property
• The fire must not be larger than 1m in diameter
• The fire must be contained in a ring made of brick, concrete, or rock, or in a manufactured device
• Burning is only permitted between the hours of 12:00 pm to 11:59 pm (noon to midnight)

Additional requirements the applicant must agree to:

• The yard must be 15m or wider and the fire site must maintain a 7m distance from lot lines and anything combustible, including trees, decks, sheds, etc.
• The fire pit and location may be subject to periodic inspection by authorized staff
• The fire will be put out when requested if the smoke is a nuisance to anyone
• There will be no burning when a burn ban has been issued
• The applicant accepts full responsibility for the Recreational Permit at the stated address. The Township of Wilmot is not liable for any loss or damage resulting from issuance of the permit.

For additional information, refer to the Open Air By-law (By-law 2021-40). 

NEW PERMITS

When applying for a new permit, you will be asked to register as a new user. Once registered, you can begin the permit application process. As part of the initial application process, the user must upload a photo (taken during daylight hours and clearly showing the burn site and/or device). Staff will review the photo and verify that the correct permit has been selected based on the lot size. The applicant may be contacted if staff requires clarification and, in some cases, a site visit may be required.

Upon approval of the permit application, the applicant will receive an email notification that includes a link for payment. Once payment has been verified, the applicant will have the opportunity to download a copy of the permit to print and/or save on their device. The permit can also be accessed via the Burn Permits site at any time.

PERMIT RENEWALS

When renewing a permit, you will login as a returning user and complete the permit renewal process (a photo is not required). Your permit will be renewed once payment is confirmed.

Note: Only permits issued since January 1, 2022 are eligible for renewal. Permits issued prior to January 1, 2022 are no longer valid and you must apply for a new permit.

FIRE BAN NOTIFICATIONS

The Burn Permits site includes information about the current open air burning risk level. When there is a burn ban in place the risk level will change to TOTAL BAN. All permit holders will be notified of a burn ban via their preferred method of contact as selected during the application process.

The following terms and conditions are outlined in the permit to promote a safe, neighbour-friendly, and environmentally conscious way to conduct a backyard fire:

• You must have, readily available in the near the fire, all necessary Equipment and Resources to control fire spread (e.g. sufficient water nearby or other means to extinguish)
• The fire can’t be within 4m of a residential overhead wire or 7m of a powerline
• There is no burning allowed in a barrel or steel drum
• The smoke from the fire cannot decrease the visibility on a highway
• The fire cannot create an odour or smoke that would be likely to disturb anyone
• No burning when wind speeds are higher than 15 km/hr
• No burning when rainy or foggy weather are present or, when a smog alert or advisory has been declared by the federal or provincial government for an area incorporating the Township
• The permit holder must be in attendance and continuously supervising the fire for which they received a Permit
• The permit holder must ensure that a fire is completely extinguished prior to leaving the location at which the fire occurred
• No burning of any Prohibited Materials (e.g. garbage/recyclables, yard waste, any wood products containing chemicals, etc.)
• You must not lose control of a fire such that it poses a danger to the health, safety or well-being of persons or property within the Township
• The fire must not be larger than 1m in diameter
• The fire must be contained in an Approved Device (a manufactured device with a spark arrestor/screen cover)
• Burning is only permitted between the hours of 12:00 pm to 11:59 pm (noon to midnight)

Additional requirements the applicant must agree to:

• The yard must be 10m or wider and the fire site must maintain a 3m distance from lot lines and anything combustible, including trees, decks, sheds, etc.
• The manufacturer’s instructions that accompanied the device will be followed and the device or screen will not be altered in any way
• The manufactured device will not be on a deck or any other combustible surface
• The fire pit and location may be subject to periodic inspection by authorized staff
• The fire will be put out when requested if the smoke is a nuisance to anyone
• There will be no burning when a burn ban has been issued
• The applicant accepts full responsibility for the Recreational Permit at the stated address. The Township of Wilmot is not liable for any loss or damage resulting from issuance of the permit.

For additional information refer to the Open Air By-law (By-law 2021-40). 

NEW PERMITS

When applying for a new permit, you will be asked to register as a new user. Once registered, you can begin the permit application process. As part of the initial application process, the user must upload a photo (taken during daylight hours and clearly showing the burn site and/or device). Staff will review the photo and verify that the correct permit has been selected based on the lot size. The applicant may be contacted if staff requires clarification and, in some cases, a site visit may be required.

Upon approval of the permit application, the applicant will receive an email notification that includes a link for payment. Once payment has been verified, the applicant will have the opportunity to download a copy of the permit to print and/or save on their device. The permit can also be accessed via the Burn Permits site at any time.

PERMIT RENEWALS

When renewing a permit, you will login as a returning user and complete the permit renewal process (a photo is not required). Your permit will be renewed once payment is confirmed.

Note: Only permits issued since January 1, 2022 are eligible for renewal. Permits issued prior to January 1, 2022 are no longer valid and you must apply for a new permit.

FIRE BAN NOTIFICATIONS

The Burn Permits site includes information about the current open air burning risk level. When there is a burn ban in place the risk level will change to TOTAL BAN. All permit holders will be notified of a burn ban via their preferred method of contact as selected during the application process.

The following terms and conditions are outlined in the permit to promote a safe, neighbour-friendly, and environmentally conscious way to conduct a fire.

• The burn must be a minimum distance of 50m (164ft) from any building, structure or other combustible material.
• You must have, readily available in the near the fire, all necessary Equipment and Resources to control fire spread (e.g. sufficient water nearby or heavy equipment)
• The fire can’t be within 4m of a residential overhead wire or 7m of a powerline
• There is no burning allowed in a barrel or steel drum
• The smoke from the fire cannot decrease the visibility on a highway
• The fire cannot create an odour or smoke that would be likely to disturb anyone
• No burning when wind speeds are higher than 15 km/hr
• No burning when rainy or foggy weather are present or when a smog alert or advisory has been declared by the federal or provincial government for an area incorporating the Township
• The permit holder or authorized person must be in attendance and continuously supervising the fire for which they received a Permit
• No burning of any Prohibited Materials (e.g. garbage/recyclables, yard waste, any wood products containing chemicals, etc.)
• You must not lose control of a fire such that it poses a danger to the health, safety or well-being of persons or property within the Township
• The fire must not be larger than 3m x 3m x 1m or as described on the permit
• The fire must be out by sunset
• Do not burn when a burn ban has been issued
• The applicant accepts full responsibility for the Recreational Permit at the stated address. The Township of Wilmot is not liable for any loss or damage resulting from issuance of the permit.

For additional information refer to the Open Air By-law (By-law 2021-40). 

Once the application is received, an inspector will call to arrange an inspection of the site.