Main content of the website

  2. Municipal
  3. Protective Services
  4. Firepit Regulations

Firepit Regulations

A nice fire in your yard is a great way to spend time outdoors with family and friends. When used safely and properly, firepits can provide hours of enjoyment. It is important to know the requirements for their construction and safe use.

Requirements:

  1. Residential firepits are only allowed in backyards.
  2. Firepits must be supervised at all times.
  3. The fire must be contained in a non-combustible receptacle made of cement, brick, or sheet metal and designed to be used as a fire pit.
  4. The fire box must be covered with heavy gauge metal screen with openings not larger than 10 mm to contain sparks.
  5. The firepit should be located at least three metres from any property line, building or combustible structure, or from trees or combustible vegetation.
  6. Firepits must be situated on a non-combustible surface including a ring of non-combustible material 40 centimeters wide around the firepit.
  7. Firepits shall be clear of overhangs, such as tree branches, utility lines and structures.
  8. Any person who uses a fire pit shall have a means of extinguishing the fire readily accessible at all times.
  9. The only permitted fuels are charcoal, clean wood waste or manufactured fire logs.
  10. Firepits must be extinguished if smoke causes an unreasonable interference with the use and enjoyment of another person’s property.
  11. Firepits shall not be used in windy conditions.
  12. In the event the Fire Chief issues a Fire Ban, the use of firepits is prohibited.

As always, be a good a neighbour and communicate with those around you that you may be adversely affected by open-air fires. Consider letting your neighbours know when you plan on having an outdoor fire, they may appreciate being notified in advance.

The Fire Department will extinguish fire pits for the following reasons:

  • Wind direction causes smoke nuisance to other properties.
  • The fire is not attended by a competent adult.
  • The fire exceeds the pit size.
  •  If the fire, in our judgment, creates a special hazard.
  • Burning of Prohibited debris (ex: Grass, rubbish, and/or leaves are being burnt).
  • Fire Ban

A fine of $100 plus all expenses incurred, as per the Fire Protective Services Cost Recovery Bylaw, will be issued to the owner of the firepit should the fire department be called out. For more information view the Outdoor Firepit Regulations Bylaw.

Burn Safely, Burn Responsibly and Burn Respectfully.