Open-Air Burning

Recreational open-air burning is not permitted within the City of Brantford: only fires that are short in duration and used exclusively for cooking are permitted.  Open air burning is permitted in the boundary adjustment area, see the requirements listed below under Boundary Adjustment Area.

Gas, oil or propane burning appliances, such as a fire table or patio heater, are permitted as long as:

  1.  They bear an approved certification mark from the Technical Standards Safety Authority (TSSA). Visit the TSSA website to review a list of approve certification marks. 
  2. They are for outdoor use.
  3. If assembled, they have been assembled according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  4. If installed, they have been installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

A single use open-air burning permit may be issued outside of the boundary adjustment area for special circumstances such as fire extinguisher training, corn roasts, pig roasts, Scouts/Guides events or religious and ceremonial fires.

Please note that if the Brantford Fire Department responds to multiple incidents of unapproved open-air burning at a property, an invoice will be sent to the property owner in accordance with the City’s fees and charges bylaw for any second and/or subsequent responses within a calendar year.

Boundary Adjustment Area

Commercial/Industrial/Institutional burning is permitted only if:
  • the property is located within the area of the City of Branford as indicated in Schedule ‘C’, forming part of this Article;
  • only materials as set out in Schedule ‘B’, forming part of this Article, are burned;
  • the holder of a Permit, issued pursuant to this section 15, Notifies the City Fire Dispatch at the telephone number specified on the Permit on each and every day that they intend to burn and before any burning commences, and again when the Open Air Burning is extinguished;
  • the Open Air Burning takes place between sunrise and sunset only;
  • the Open Air Burning is conducted in compliance with the terms of the Permit;
  • the Open Air Burning occurs prior to the earlier of: (A) the expiration of six months from the date of issuance of the Permit; or (B) January 1, 2026.
Recreational burning is only permitted by the Chief Fire Official if:

  • the property is located in the area of the City of Brantford as indicated in Schedule ‘C’, forming part of this Article;

  • the Open Air Burning is contained in a Fire Pit, which is no more than one (1) square metre in area;

  • the Open Air Burning is at least 15 metres from any building, structure, hedge, fence, vehicular roadway of any kind or nature, overhead wiring or any property line, unless otherwise approved by the Chief Fire Official or within a site of a permitted campground;

  • the Open Air Burning is at least five (5) metres from any object or material with potential to ignite;

  • the perimeter of the Open Air Burning does not exceed the size of the Fire Pit;

  • the Open Air Burning is attended, controlled and supervised at all times;

  • steps are taken to ensure that smoke caused by the Open Air Burning does not have an adverse effect on the visibility of motorists using roads in the vicinity of the Open Air Burning;

  • the owner or occupant takes steps to ensure that adjacent properties are protected and that the By-Products of the Open Air Burning do not have a Negative Impact;

  • the Open Air Burning is not occurring on any road allowance or Municipal Property without written permission of the City;

  • an effective extinguishing agent of sufficient size and with the capability of extinguishing the Open Air Burning is immediately available for use;

  • the Open Air Burning is conducted in such a manner as to preclude the escape of fire or the escape of combustible solids such as sparks and ash from the Open Air Burning;

  • the Open Air Burning is conducted in Appropriate Weather Conditions;

  • the only materials being burned are those listed in Schedule ‘A’, forming part of this Article;

  • the Open Air Burning is completely extinguished before the site is Vacated; and

  • the Open Air Burning occurs prior to January 1, 2026. 
Residential/Agricultural burning is only permitted by the Chief Fire Official if:
  • the property is located in the area of the City of Brantford as indicated in Schedule ‘C’; forming part of this Article;
  • the City Fire Dispatch is Notified in person or by telephone, before the burning commences;
  • the City Fire Dispatch is Notified in person or by telephone at the conclusion of the burning;
  • the Open Air Burning is conducted between sunrise and sunset;
  • only materials as set out in Schedule ‘B’, forming part of this Article, are burned;
  • the Open Air Burning is attended, controlled and supervised at all times;
  • the Open Air Burning is completely extinguished before the burn site is Vacated;
  • the Open Air Burning is conducted during Appropriate Weather Conditions;
  • the Open Air Burning is confined to an area at least 15 metres from any building, structure, hedge, fence, vehicular roadway of any kind or nature, overhead wiring, or any property line;
  • the Open Air Burning is confined to an area at least five (5) metres from any object or material with potential to ignite;
  • steps are taken to ensure that smoke caused by the Open Air Burning does not adversely affect the visibility of motorists using roads in the vicinity of the burn;
  • the Open Air Burning does not cover a ground area exceeding 9 square metres;
  • steps are taken to ensure that the adjacent properties are protected and that By-Products of the Open Air Burning do not have a Negative Impact;
  • the burn is conducted in such a manner as to prevent the escape of the Open Air Burning or the escape of combustible solids such as sparks and ash from the Open Air Burning;
  • an effective extinguishing agent of sufficient size and with the capability of extinguishing the Open Air Burning is immediately available for use;
  • the Open Air Burning is not located on any road allowance or Municipal Property without the written permission of the City, unless such burning is being conducted by authorized employees of the City or is for the purpose of clearing the City drainage ditches;
  • means to contact the City Fire Dispatch are immediately available; and
  • the Open Air Burning occurs prior to January 1, 2026.
What do Negative Impacts mean?

The owner or occupant is responsible for ensuring that adjacent properties are protected and that the By-products of the Open Air Burning do not have a negative impact such as:

  • actual damage to property; 
  • actual damage to plant or animal life; 
  • harm or material discomfort to any person; 
  • impairment of the safety of any person 
  • loss of normal use of property; or 
  • interference with normal conduct of business. 
 What are Schedule 'A' materials?
Only the materials listed below are allowed to be burned:

  • Wood and Wood by-Products that have not been chemically treated, painted or stained 

  • Paper and Paper Products 
What are Schedule 'B' materials?
  • Wood and wood by-products that have not been chemically treated, painted or stained Paper and Paper products, Cardboard
  • Brush, Tree Stumps, Hay, Straw and Dry Grass (non-baled)
  • Yard Wastes such as twigs and leaves
  • Other combustible materials only with the specific approval from the Chief Fire Official 

Apply for an Open-Air Burning Permit