Burn Permits

Definition: An open-air fire that is set and maintained solely for the purpose of cooking food, providing warmth and/or recreational enjoyment, with a maximum size of 1 cubic metre.

No person shall set or maintain a campfire unless all the following conditions are met:

• A valid Burn Permit has been obtained as outlined in Part 5 of the Open Air Burning By-law.
• The campfire shall occur between the hours of 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.
• The campfire is contained within an area of non-combustible metal, masonry, ceramic or stone, or is contained within a pit in the ground, with a maximum diameter of 60 cm (24 inches), and is located in Zone A only.
• The material burned in the campfire is clean, dry, untreated wood in a single pile that is less than 60 cm (24 inches) in height, width and length.
• The campfire is located not less than 6 metres (20 feet) from any building, hedge, fence, overhead wiring or other combustible material, and 15 metres (50 feet) from the lot line.
• The person tending the campfire has tools or water adequate to contain and, if required, extinguish the fire within the campfire area.
• The fire is not set or maintained during a period identified as having a Total Burn Ban in place.

Definition: A non-combustible, wholly or partially enclosed container designed to hold a fire for decorative purposes, with a maximum size of 1 metre in any direction.

No person shall set or maintain a fire in an outdoor fireplace or burning appliance unless all the following conditions are met:

• A valid Burn Permit has been obtained as outlined in Part 5 of the Open Air Burning By-law.
• The outdoor fireplace or burning appliance is constructed of non-combustible metal, masonry, ceramic or stone on grade.
• The outdoor fireplace is not located on a balcony or deck.
• The outdoor fireplace is not located on any combustible surface.
• The outdoor fireplace is in good working order.
• The fire in the outdoor fireplace or burning appliance shall occur between the hours of 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.
• The outdoor fireplace/burning appliance is located not less than 3 metres (10 feet) from any structure, overhead wiring or other combustible material, and 3 metres (10 feet) from the lot line.
• The person burns only clean, dry, untreated wood or commercial charcoal in the outdoor fireplace.
• Any fire in an outdoor fireplace within Zone A or B must be equipped with a spark screen or cover with a maximum opening of 13 mm, and flames shall not extend more than 15 cm through and above the spark arrestor.
• The fire is not set or maintained during a period identified as having a Total Burn Ban in place.

Definition: An open-air fire where the material to be burned does not exceed 3 metres in height, width and length, set and maintained solely for the purposes of burning wood, tree limbs and branches.

No person shall set or maintain a brush fire unless all the following conditions are met:

• A valid Burn Permit has been obtained as outlined in Part 5 of the Open Air Burning By-law.
• The fire is set and maintained at no less than 20 metres (66 feet) from any building, hedge, fence, overhead wire or other combustible material or lot line.
• The pile of materials to be burned in the fire does not exceed 3 metres (10 feet) in length, width and height.
• The person has the necessary means immediately available at the site of the fire to extinguish the fire, to limit its spread, and if necessary, to summon Belleville Fire & Emergency Services.
• Brush fires are only permitted in Zone A as identified in Schedule 1 of the Open Air Burning By-law.
• The person present and in control of the Brush Fire is the person identified in the Burn Permit.

Definition: An open-air fire where the material to be burned does not exceed 5 metres in height, width and length, set and maintained solely for the purposes of burning wood, tree limbs and branches on agricultural land.

No person shall set or maintain an agricultural fire unless all the following conditions are met:

• A valid Burn Permit has been obtained as outlined in Part 5 of the Open Air Burning By-law.
• Property owners shall have the area where they plan to burn inspected. No exceptions. Contact one of the Deputy Fire Chiefs at 613-962-2010 at least 3 business days prior to burning to arrange for an inspection.
• The fire is set and maintained at no less than 50 metres (164 feet) from any building, hedge, fence, overhead wire or other combustible material, or lot line.
• The materials to be burned in the fire do not exceed 5 metres (16 feet) in length, width and height, with a maximum of four (4) piles burning simultaneously unless otherwise approved.
• The agricultural fire shall occur between sunrise and sunset.
• The person setting the fire has the necessary means immediately available at the site of the fire to extinguish the fire, to limit its spread, and if necessary, to summon Belleville Fire & Emergency Services.
• Agricultural Fires are only permitted in Zone A as identified in Schedule 1 of the Open Air Burning By-law.
• Authorization approval issued is valid only for the time(s), conditions and day(s) set out as approved by the Chief Fire Official.

Definition: An open-air fire for cultural, religious or recreational purposes conducted by a community not-for-profit organization, school, religious institution or resident.

A community not-for-profit organization, school, religious institution or a resident may apply in writing to the Fire Chief for a specific event permit to conduct open air fires for cultural, religious or recreational specific event. All of the following conditions must be met:

• A valid permit has been obtained as outlined in Part 5 of the Open Air Burning By-law.
• All conditions as set out on the permit and approval are followed.
• The person or organization issued the permit has the necessary means immediately available at the site of the permit to extinguish the fire or to limit its spread and if necessary, summon Belleville Fire & Emergency Services.
• Authorization approval issued is valid only for the time(s) and day(s) set out on the issued Authorization to Burn.
• The person present and in control of the Specific Event Fire is the person identified in the Burn Permit and/or the authorization from the Chief Fire Official.

Definition: A non-combustible device designed for and used solely for the cooking of food.

No person shall set or maintain a fire in a cooking device unless all of the following conditions are met:

• The cooking device is not located on a balcony of a multi-unit residential building.
• The cooking device is located at least 1 metre (3 feet) from any building or structure and is in good working order (and/or the clearances labelled on the device can be met).
• The person burns only commercial charcoal, compressed gas or wood in the cooking device, as is appropriate for the design of that cooking device.

Definition: The use of a portable appliance for heating during a construction or maintenance process.

No person may set or maintain a fire in a portable appliance during a construction or maintenance process unless all of the following conditions are met:

• The portable appliance is designed for that purpose.
• The portable appliance is only used for that purpose.
• The portable appliance is used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
• The portable appliance is in good working order.
• Burn Barrels or drums are not permitted.