Your guide to safe outdoor fires on your property
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Rules, tips and permits for open-air burning in Clarington
Whether you're planning a cozy summer night by the fire or burning brush as part of your property maintenance routine, it's crucial to follow these rules to ensure public safety. It reduces the risks of fire spreading and avoids nuisances like excess smoke or potential health concerns.
In January 2025, Clarington Council updated the open-air Burning By-Law, including new requirements for property limits, distances and times. Notably, recreational open-air burning is now allowed on residential properties with specific restrictions.
Remember to keep your fires safe and compliant for peace of mind and to avoid costly fines.
Recreational outdoor fires Open-air burning permits Violations and fines
Smaller residential properties
Your property does not meet the minimum safe distance standard of 7.5 metres in all directions from lot lines, fences, structures, trees, bushes, and combustibles such as a deck.
✔️ Propane or natural gas outdoor fireplaces allowed
✖️ No recreational outdoor fires permitted
✖️ No fire pits permitted
✖️ No flying lanterns/sky lanterns are permitted
Larger residential properties
Your property meets the minimum safe distance standard of 7.5 metres, in all directions from lot lines, fences, structures, trees, bushes, and combustibles such as a deck.
✔️ Propane or natural gas outdoor fireplaces are allowed
✔️ Small recreational outdoor fires allowed from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in an approved outdoor fireplace only, per by-law definition
✔️ Only burn dry seasoned wood logs
✖️ No fire pits permitted
✖️ No burning of noxious or treated materials, garbage, or yard waste
✖️ No flying lanterns/sky lanterns are permitted
Approved outdoor fireplaces
Shop for an outdoor fireplace that is a portable or fixed appliance made of non-combustible materials. It needs to be enclosed on all sides with a chamber to contain the fire, a vent or chimney for airflow, and a spark screen to prevent sparks from flying out. It must be designed for small recreational outdoor fires and must be no larger than 1m x 1m x 1m.
- Read By-law 2025-002 for more details.
Safety first
Rules for a safe and compliant recreational fire:
- Materials: Only burn dry, seasoned wood logs. No refuse, grass, or leaves because they can pose potential to spread fires & causes large amount of dark smoke.
- Location and Safety: Burn at ground level on a non-combustible surface. Have a garden hose nearby with the water supply valve fully open, and ensure the fire is extinguished before leaving.
- Conditions: No burning during a fire ban. No burning if weather conditions can decrease visibility on highways or roads, causes rapid fire spread, or creates a public nuisance or health issues. Must have an adult (18 years or older) present at all times to supervise while a fire is burning.
- Permission: Tenants require written permission from the owner to allow recreational burning on the property.
Buyer's Tips
What kind of outdoor fireplace can you use in Clarington?
Not all outdoor fireplaces sold in Clarington stores are permitted per the by-law.
Residential open-air burning
You must maintain a safe distance of 30 metres in all directions from lot lines, fences, structures, trees, bushes, and combustibles such as a deck.
✔️ Burn only brush and tree limbs from the property
✔️ Maximum pile size of 1m x 1m x 1m
Agricultural (farm) open-air burning
You must maintain a safe distance of 30 metres in all directions from lot lines, fences, structures, trees, bushes, and combustibles such as a deck.
✔️ Burn only brush, tree limbs from the property, and agricultural waste from normal farm practices
✔️ Maximum pile size of 3m x 3m x 3m
Safety first
Rules for safe and compliant residential and agricultural open-air burning:
- Burn time is allowed from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., under the following conditions:
- No open-air burning during a fire ban.
- No open-air burning in urban areas or hamlet residential properties.
- No burning if weather conditions decrease visibility on highways or roads, causes rapid fire spread, or creates a public nuisance or health issues.
- Must have an adult (18 years or older) present at all times to supervise while a fire is burning.
- No burning of noxious or treated materials, garbage, or yard waste.
- No flying lanterns/sky lanterns are permitted.
Permit types
- Annual permit: 12 months - $81 (Residential properties)
- 30-day permit: $40.50 (Residential properties)
- Annual farm permit: No charge (with Farm Business Registration number)
Our Fire Prevention team is here to help
If you are unable to apply online or need help with the application process, please contact the Fire Prevention team at 905-623-5126 ext. 2806.
Application process
- Register or log in to the Service Clarington portal. Learn more about how to use the portal at www.clarington.net/ServiceClarington.
- Fill out the open-air burning permit application and pay the appropriate fee.
- Staff will review your submission to ensure compliance with the Burning By-law.
- If the submission meets the requirements of the by-law, you will receive confirmation of the permit approval by email.
Rules for a reason
Avoid costly fines for violations. It’s not worth the risk.
The Ontario Fire Code requires a permit for open-air burning unless you're using an approved unit designed for cooking, like a charcoal barbecue.
Residents must comply with Clarington’s by-law for recreational burning. After a second violation, the property owner will be billed for the cost of emergency response services, as per the MTO rate as stated in the Municipal Fees and Charges By-Law.
Frequently asked questions
Recreational Burning
| Why can’t I burn grass, leaves or treated wood? |
| Grass, leaves and treated wood produce smoke that releases toxic chemicals that create health risks to humans, wildlife and the environment. Only dry seasoned wood logs can be burned. |
| Why does my outdoor fireplace need to be fully enclosed? |
| This is to ensure the wood logs and flames stay within the appliance. |
| What does a spark screen prevent? |
| Spark screens help prevent sparks or embers from flying around and burning people, pets or other combustible items. |
| Can I have a fire bowl with removable spark screen cover? |
| No, the spark screen must be permanently attached to the appliance and have a spark screen loading door that closes. |
| Can I have a chiminea? |
| The chiminea must be non-combustible, fully enclosed on all sides with a spark screen on the vent or chimney and have a spark screen loading door that closes. |
| Why are propane or natural gas outdoor fireplaces permitted? |
| Commercially tested and listed outdoor fireplaces provide a safe controlled burn that does not produce soot, ash or embers. Before using the appliance, you should always read the manufactures instructions. |
Open-air Burning
| Why do I need a permit? |
| Open-air burning is a way to help maintain larger residential properties by burning excess brush or tree limbs where the flames are not contained. Open-air burning shall not take place unless you have an approved permit for a residential property of four acres or more. |
| What size of residential properties can open-air burn? |
|
Residential properties must have a minimum of four acres or more and maintain a minimum safe burning distance of 30 metres from property lines, fences, streets, roads, highways, overhead wires, structures, trees, bushes, hedges or other combustible materials. |
Agricultural Burning
| Why do I need a permit? |
| Agricultural burning is a way to help maintain larger agricultural properties by burning excess agricultural waste where the flames are not contained. Agricultural burning shall not take place unless you have an approved permit for an agricultural property of four acres or more. |
| What size of agricultural properties can burn? |
| Agricultural properties must have a minimum of four acres or more and maintain a minimum safe burning distance of 30 metres from property lines, fences, streets, roads, highways, overhead wires, structures, trees, bushes, hedges or other combustible materials. |
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