Open Air Burning
Before lighting an open air fire, you must make sure that:
- zoning and fire ban levels allow you to have that type of fire;
- you have the appropriate permit;
- you have reported your fire by calling 1-855-943-4088 or logging on to cr.burnpermits.com; and
- smoke will not cause a nuisance to neighboring properties or highways
There are four types of open air fires permitted in different parts of our municipality as outlined in the Open air fire by-law.
Campfires
Campfires are fires without a screened mesh cover and:
- are prohibited at all times on non-waterfront properties within the urban restricted zone;
- require a seasonal permit for waterfront properties within the urban restricted zone, rural areas, and other non-restricted zones
They must:
- have a burn area less than 76 cm (30 in) wide;
- have a burn area less than 60 cm (24 in) high;
- be set on and be ringed by a non-combustible material;
- be separated from grass and any other materials that can catch fire by at least 50cm (18 in) of clean earth, sand, gravel or another non-combustible product;
- be at least 5 m (15 ft) from any property line, building, deck, porch, tree, shrub, etc.;
- have at least 5 m (15 ft) of open airspace above it;
- only be used for cooking food, providing warmth and recreational enjoyment
Screened Fire Pits
Screened fire pits are different from campfires because they are completely covered by a heavy metal screen to stop sparks and embers from escaping. They are permitted in all parts of the municipality and require a:
- permanent permit or special occasion permit in the urban restricted zone;
- seasonal permit or permanent permit for waterfront properties in the urban restricted zone, on rural and other non-restricted zone properties
They must:
- be contained in a constructed fire pit (e.g. a circular pit such as a rim);
- have a burning area less than 75 cm (29.5 in) wide;
- be covered by spark arresting heavy metal screen with openings no bigger than 1.3 cm (0.5 in);
- rest on/in and be ringed by a non-combustible material;
- be separated from grass and any material that can catch fire by a distance of at least 50 cm (18 in) of clean earth, sand, gravel or another non-combustible product;
- be at least 3 m (10 ft) from any property line, building, deck, porch, tree, shrub, etc.;
- have at least 3 m (10 ft) of open airspace above it;
- only be used for cooking food, providing warmth and recreational enjoyment
Screened Outdoor Fireplaces
Screened outdoor fireplaces are a manufactured container made of noncombustible materials and are used to burn wood for decorative purposes, e.g. chimneys. They are permitted in all areas of our municipality and require a:
- permanent permit for use non-waterfront properties in the urban restricted zone;
- seasonal permit or permanent permit for waterfront properties in the urban restricted zone, on rural and other non-restricted zone properties
They must:
- be smaller than 76 cm (30 in) tall, wide or deep;
- be completely covered by a spark arresting heavy metal screen with openings no bigger than 1.3 cm (0.5 in);
- be set on and ringed by a non-combustible material;
- be separated from grass and any other items that can catch on fire by at least 50 cm (18 in) of clean earth, sand, gravel or another noncombustible medium;
- be at least 3 m (10 ft) from any property line, building, deck, porch, tree, shrub, etc.;
- have at least 3 m (10 ft) of open airspace above it
Burn Barrels
Burn barrels are non-combustible, enclosed container barrels used to burn small branches and pieces of wood. They:
- are prohibited at all times on non-waterfront properties in the urban restricted zone;
- require a seasonal permit on waterfront properties in the urban restricted zone, on rural, and non-restricted properties
They must:
- be clean and free from chemical contamination;
- be less than 76 cm (30 in) wide;
- be less than 88 cm (35in) tall;
- be in good condition;
- be completely covered on top by a spark arresting heavy metal screen with holes no bigger than 1.3 cm (0.5 in);
- have ventilation holes in the side which are smaller than 1.3 cm (0.5 in) or covered in a spark arresting mesh;
- sit on and be ringed by a non-combustible material;
- must be separated from grass and any other vegetation or combustible material by at least 50 cm (18 in) of clean earth, sand, gravel or another noncombustible medium;
- be at least 5 m (15 ft) from any property line, building, deck, porch, tree, shrub, etc.;
- have at least 5 m (15 ft) of open airspace above it
Fires in an uncovered burn barrel have the same rules and requirements as campfires.
Open air fires must be competently supervised at all times.
Always have fire fighting equipment handy suitable for the size and type of fire such as a:
- garden hose
- shovel
- rake
- or heavy machinery
Acceptable materials to burn include:
- wood
- cardboard
- paper
- other wood by-products
Do not burn:
- compost
- plastic
- rubber
- toxic materials
- leaves
- grass
- hay
- debris from land clearing
Check the current burn ban or risk level by:
- calling the open air hotline at 1-855-943-4088; or
- on the main page of cr.burnpermits.com (no log-in is required)
Regardless of the risk level or burn ban in effect, you should always monitor for unsafe conditions. When the Fire Chief issues a partial or total fire ban you must limit your fires accordingly.
Outdoor gas appliances are permitted during all burn ban levels including:
- propane BBQs;
- gas fireplaces, fire tables and fire features
Burn ban risk level 4
Also called a partial fire ban, Level 4 prohibits all uncovered open air fires including:
- camp fires;
- uncovered burn barrels;
- fireworks (recommendation).
Burn ban risk level 5
Also called a total fire ban, Level 5 prohibits all outdoor fires including:
- wood burning barbeques;
- camp fires;
- burn barrels;
- fire pits;
- outdoor fireplaces;
- any other type of open air fire;
- fireworks (recommendation).
Permits and Certificates
In this section you can find information about:
- fireworks permits and regulations
- open air burn permits
- Fire Safety Plans for businesses
| BBQ | Gas Fireplace | Campfire | Screened Fire Pit | Screened Outdoor Fireplace | Burn Barrel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban area restricted zone | No permit required | No permit required | Prohibited | Permanent special occasion permit required | Permanent permit required |
| Urban area waterfront properties | No permit required | No permit required | Seasonal permit required | Seasonal or permanent permit required | Seasonal or permanent permit required |
| Rural areas non-restricted zone | No permit required | No permit required | Seasonal permit required | Seasonal or permanent permit required | Seasonal or permanent permit required |
Our open air burn permits and consumer fireworks permits are processed through a third party platform.
Tenants require the approval of their landlord before applying.
Special Occasion
Special occasion permits are considered on a case-by-case basis and:
- are for open air burns which meet safety and zoning requirements but do not qualify for seasonal or permanent permits;
- are valid for a specified period;
Seasonal
Seasonal permits are processed online and when all requirements are met, a digital copy is issued almost immediately. They:
- are for open air fires and camp fires;
- are valid for 12 months;
Permanent
Permanent permits are for screened containers such as fire pits, fire places, and burn barrels which will remain in a permanent position. They:
- are valid only for the type of appliance as inspected with a spark arresting mesh;
- require a site inspection;
- do not expire if the location of the screened container has not changed or been altered;
Sight inspections are:
- conducted Monday through Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm;
- considered on a first-come basis;
- may be subject to a waiting period for the inspector to visit;
- included in the cost of the permit
Fireworks
Our consumer fireworks permits are processed through a third party platform by creating a free account at cr.burnpermits.com.
Tenants require the approval of their landlord before applying.
Consumer fireworks:
- are for use by the general public;
- must be purchased from a Canadian retail store;
- can only be discharged on designated holidays;
Sale of Fireworks
The Ontario Fire Code requires a Fire Safety Plan for many properties and businesses. The plan must be reviewed regularly and any changes are required to be submitted to the Clarence-Rockland Fire Department.
Fire safety plans protect people from fire by making sure buildings have proper fire safety systems, equipment and procedures.
How to submit your Fire Safety Plan
Request your Fire Safety Plan by email at fireprevention@clarence-rockland.com.
When filling out the form:
- type your information into the highlighted areas
- fill in check boxes by double-clicking
- delete information that does not apply to your building if you wish
- adjust the table of contents if you delete any sections or pages
Tips:
- choose the template that best suits your property
- keep an electronic copy of your plan so changes can be made and submitted easily
The City's fireworks bylaw outlines the rules and regulations for the use of fireworks in our municipality.
Our fireworks permits are processed through a third party platform by creating a free account at
Tenants require the approval of their landlord before applying.
Types of Fireworks
Consumer fireworks:
- are for use by the general public;
- must be purchased from a Canadian retail store;
- can only be discharged on designated holidays; and
Display fireworks:
- are not available for sale to the general public;
- are for use by established groups and organizations at events; and
- must be supervised by certified technicians; and require a Firework Special Occasion Permit
Prohibited fireworks include:
- firecrackers
- fireworks not purchased at a Canadian retailer
Rules for Consumer Fireworks
When can you use fireworks?
- Fireworks can only be discharged according to the Fireworks By-Law 2025-26.
- Fireworks cannot be discharged in the Urban Area.
- Our consumer fireworks permits are processed through a third party platform by creating a free account at cr.burnpermits.com.
Who can use fireworks?
To use fireworks you must be:
- 18 years or older or be directly supervised by a competent person older than 18; and
- on your own land or have permission from the land owner
Rules for display fireworks with a permit
Any group, club or organization who would like to hold an event with display fireworks or other pyrotechnic technologies must:
- obtain a Firework Special Occasion permit; and
- submit their permit application no less than 30 days before the event
Contact the Clarence-Rockland Fire Department at 613-446-6022 to apply for a Fireworks Special Occasion Permit.