Fire & Emergency Services

Open Air Burn Permits

 

 

 

In accordance with Town’s By-Law 96-59 (consolidated  By-law 2006-09), a Burn Permit is required for all outdoor burning within the Town of Caledon. Only those people in non-settlement areas are eligible for a permit. During excessively windy days or smog warnings, no open air burning is permitted For information concerning the rules and restrictions in place for outdoor burning, call the Fire & Emergency Services Department (905) 584-2272.

Sec 2.6.3.4. of the Ontario Fire Code, O. Reg. 388/97 states: Open Air Burning shall not be permitted unless approved, or unless such burning consists of a small, confined fire, supervised at all times, and used to cook food on a grill or a barbecue.
This means that a small contained fire with a grill may be used to cook food – once the food is cooked, the fire must be extinguished.

There are many types of outdoor fireplaces, varying in design from a steel fire box with a screened opening and short vent stack, to a clay firepot (chiminea) with an opening for fuel loading and a short vent stack. These products are not designed to be used in food preparation. The use of chimineas and other similar solid fuel flame producing products contravene the Ontario Fire Code if they are operated within the Town of Caledon, and their use may warrant enforcement action in accordance with the Ontario Fire Code.

FAQS

Who can obtain a burn permit?

Only residents living in non-settlement areas. They are conditional and can be revoked at any time. Burn Permits are not issued in settlement areas and / or where the Region of Peel Organic pick up program is in place.

How do you obtain a burning permit?

Apply for a permit in person only at the Fire Administration Headquarters (6097 Old Church Road, Caledon East) during regular business hours.  Identification is required and your signature must be given in order for the permit to be issued.

Is there a fee?

There is a $10.00 annual fee.

What can I burn and how?

Only wood products, no plastics or treated wood, nothing toxic or harmful to the environment. Burning can only be done during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. during spring and summer and till 5:00 p.m. during winter and fall. Burning pile cannot be more than 1m³ in size; 25 m away from all combustibles and supervised at all times by a responsible person. There must be a convenient means to extinguish the fire (i.e. garden hose or fire extinguisher).

What will the consequences be for burning without a permit or in contravention of the By-law
Could result in a fine and/or additional costs associated with services rendered.