Open Air Fire Permit
- Where can I obtain an Open Air Fire Permit?
- What is the cost of a permit?
- Do I need any special information in order to apply for a permit?
- What forms of payment are accepted?
- Where can I get a copy of the Open Air Fire By-law?
- Do I have to notify Ottawa Fire Services before I start an open air fire?
- For how long will my new permit be valid?
- Why are open air fires prohibited in some areas of the City?
- Is the use of an outdoor fireplace (either masonry or metal) considered as open air burning?
- What is a fire ban and why can I not have an open air fire when a fire ban is in effect?
- Do I need to know my permit number?
Where can I obtain an Open Air Fire Permit?
Open Air Fire Permits can be obtained at any City of Ottawa Client Service Centre.
The following client service centres only issue Open Air Fire Permits, one day per
week, in accordance with the following schedule.
Metcalfe |
8243 Victoria St. |
|---|---|
North Gower |
2155 Roger Stevens Dr. |
West Carleton |
5670 Carp Rd |
Open Air Fire Permits can also be obtained at the following fire administrative offices, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Only cash and cheques are accepted at the Ottawa Fire Services location. In addition, Ottawa Fire Services locations should be contacted by phone in advance to ensure that the office is open.
District 6 Fire Administration Office |
West Carleton Community Complex |
|---|---|
District 7 Fire Administration Office |
Vars Fire Station, 6090 Rockdale Rd. RR1 |
District 8 Fire Administration Office |
Stittsville Fire station1643 Stittsville Main St. |
District 9 Fire Administration Office |
Manotick Fire Station 5669 Manotick Main St. |
For more details on days and locations call 613-580-2880.
Specific Event Permits can only be obtained at the Fire Prevention Division, 1445 Carling Avenue, given the requirement for a site inspection by Ottawa Fire Services staff prior to permit issuance.
Ottawa Fire Services |
1445 Carling Ave. |
|---|
A specific event permit allows open air fires (based on approval from Ottawa Fire Services, Fire Prevention division) that are normally not allowed in designated no burn areas of the City. Only a community not-for-profit organization or a religious institution may apply for an open air fire permit to conduct campfires or open air fires in an outdoor fireplace for cultural, religious or recreational specific events.
Please allow up to ten (10) business days to process your permit application. Payment ($50) is due upon permit issuance, not upon application.
What is the cost of a permit?
The fees are as follows:
- $12 for an Annual Permit
- $12 for an Annual Agricultural Permit that may include up to four (4) properties
- $50 for a Specific Event Permit
Do I need any special information in order to apply for a permit?
If you are applying for an Annual Agricultural Permit, you must provide a copy of your Farm Business Registration Number at the time of application. This permit will allow you to burn windrows fires overnight from Monday to Friday. These types of fires are usually left to burn for days at a time due to their size (i.e. 50 metres in length, 5 metres in width and 3 metres in height) and require supervision at all times. For more information on Annual Agricultural Permits or on windrows fires, please contact the City of Ottawa at 3-1-1.
For all other permits, you must be the owner of the property to obtain a permit. If you are not the owner of the property, you must provide written authorization from the landowner giving you permission to apply for a permit for that location.
What forms of payment are accepted?
Cash, cheques, credit or debit cards are accepted at all Client Service Centres.
Only cash and cheques are accepted at the Ottawa Fire Services locations, which do not have the capability to accept other forms of payment.
Where can I get a copy of the Open Air Fire By-law?
The Open Air Fire By-law is available on the City's Web site or by calling 3-1-1.
Do I have to notify Ottawa Fire Services before I start an open air fire?
Yes. Prior to setting an open air fire, you must first contact Ottawa Fire Services at 613-580-2880 to ensure there that a fire ban is not in effect.
For campfires and outdoor fireplaces you will be asked to follow the conditions and regulations within your permit.
However, if you are burning wood in any other form, such as brush piles, you will be asked to report the Open Air Fire and Permit number at which time you will be provided with a reference number.
For how long will my new permit be valid?
Annual, Annual Resticted and Annual Agricultural Permits are valid from the date of issue until the end of the calendar year (December 31). Specific Event Permits are valid for the date(s) specified on the permit.
Why are open air fires prohibited in some areas of the City?
It is unsafe to set and maintain open air fires in certain areas of the City. Population density and average lot size criteria were considered in the determination of the areas in which open air fires are permitted. Risk management issues, such as proximity to dense forest of certain types, were also considered.
Is the use of an outdoor fireplace (either masonry or metal) considered as open air burning?
Yes. Although these fireplaces are designed to be used outdoors rather than indoors and may limit the heat and sparks through their design, these reduced levels are still cause for concern. Ottawa Fire Services does not approve open air burning in urban areas or near buildings. Therefore, outdoor fireplaces are not permitted in urban areas.
What is a fire ban and why can I not have an open air fire when a fire ban is in effect?
A fire ban, which is declared by the Fire Chief or his designate and is based largely on environmental conditions, is a period of time during which no one may set or maintain any open air fire anywhere within the City limits for reasons related to public safety and protection of property.
Do I need to know my permit number?
Yes. It is a requirement to not only be aware of your permit number for purposes of reporting/recording your open air fire to Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) but, also to be able to produce the permit upon request, as stipulated by the by-law. Documentation of the locations of larger open air fires by OFS will help the reduce false alarms, i.e. unexpected responses to your home by Ottawa Fire Services.
