Open Air Burning and Permits

Learn when you do and do not need to obtain burn permit. On this page:

Fires that do not require a burn permit
Fires that require a burn permit
Fire Safety Tips
Open Air Burning Bylaw

Fires that do not require a burn permit

Cooking Fires

Small, confined fires that are supervised at all times and used to cook food on a grill or barbecue are permitted in the County of Brant, with no call or fee required.

Recreational Fires

Recreational burning is permitted with no call or fee required when:

The fire is contained in a fire pit which is no more than one square meter in area
The fire is at least 15 meters from any building, structure, hedge, fence, roadway and/or property line

Fires that require a burn permit

Commercial, Industrial, Institutional Semi-Annual Burn Permit

You can apply for a semi-annual permit to burn materials for commercial, industrial and/or institutional purposes. Contact us to apply for a permit.

Residential or Agricultural Burn Permit

Residential and Agriculture burns that do not meet the criteria of recreational burning above, must be approved by the Fire Chief. To apply for a residential/agricultural burn permit, apply online below.

Apply Online
Single Occasion Burn Permit and Special Event Permits

Large farm-type fires, brush/ ginseng shades/ kilns and special event permits must be approved by the Fire Chief. They also require a fee to be paid before the burn. To apply for a Single Occasion Burn Permit or a Special Event Permit, apply online below.

Apply Online

Fire Safety Tips

Planning to have a campfire this weekend?

Find a spot that is sheltered from the wind
Build your fire on a non-combustible surface - preferably in a metal ring or surrounded by stones or blocks
Build your fire at least 15 metres away from any combustible materials, fences, property lines or buildings
Make sure the space above the fire is at least 3 metres from overhanging branches and vegetation

Prepare the Site

Clear a space about 2 metres wide for the fire
Scrape the area right down to the mineral soil
Ensure you have a pail of water or garden hose, and a shovel to control the fire

Build your campfire

Keep your fire small to a maximum of one metre high and one metre wide
Small fires are safer, easier to control and put out
A small fire will also keep cooking tools from blackening and let you get close enough to cook

Stay Nearby

Never leave a fire unattended
You are responsible for tending your campfire, ensuring it is kept under control, and for putting it out

Put the fire out

Pour lots of water on the campfire
Stir the ashes with a stick
Pour more water over top of the campfire
Stir the ashes with a stick again and repeat until:
- the ashes are cold to the touch
- the ashes don't hiss
- the ashes look soaked
- no more smoke comes from the ashes

Safety Tips for Kids

Always ensure children are with an adult when they are around a fire
Always make sure small children are at least 1m away from the fire
Never allow children to play with matches or fireworks
Teach your children to tell an adult immediately if they see a fire burning out of control

View and share the Open Air Burning infographic

Open Air Burning Bylaw

Open air burning is regulated in the County of Brant Open Air Burning Bylaw 55-24 (PDF).