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Combustion rules | Regulations | Fire

It is important to protect your home and community. Check out our prevention page for helpful tips or click this link for resources in multiple languages.

Household burning in a permit zone

If your property has both city water AND sewer, you are in a permit zone. Most urban/suburban lots in the borough are in a permit-required zone.

Permit required zone – summer (March 15 – October 15)

The following types of burning are limited depending on the time of day. The time of day allowed in this category is 2:00 p.m. to midnight. The time of day may be further limited by provincial or city bans and each time before burning you must check whether there are any prohibitions. They are published every day at 2:00 p.m. To learn more about bans, please see the “Provincial/City Bans” section below.

Home burning (thickets and tree branches) is forbidden

Burning household waste Is forbidden and includes:

  1. leaves and garden waste, including grass and grass clippings, twigs and house and garden plants;
  2. boxboard containing boxes for cereals, shoes, tissues and detergents; AND
  3. construction or demolition materials, including sawdust, wood shavings, boards, siding, wood beams, plastics and rubber.

Burning bonfire (open fire with a diameter of 0.5 meters) is forbidden except public or private campsites.

Outdoor wood-burning appliances If allowed without permission if they meet the criteria specified in the Statute.

CSA or ULC certified propane or natural gas burning device: These devices are not subject to the provisions of these Regulations, however all manufacturer’s instructions must be followed. They are not subject to time limits.

Permit required zone – winter (October 16 – March 14)

All burning types below are limited by time of day. The time of day allowed in this category is 8:00 to midnight.

Home burning (thickets and tree branches) allowed ONLY If :

  • the location of the fire is within 23 meters (75 feet) of any dwelling or accessory structure;
  • the person responsible for the burning has the option to call 911 from the scene;
  • at least two persons nineteen (19) years of age or older are present;
  • appropriate equipment is present to contain and extinguish the fire;
  • wind speed will not threaten the ability to control and contain the fire;
  • AND city ​​burning permit is filled and in place during combustion; AND
  • the person in charge ensures that all smoldering embers are completely extinguished before leaving the site

If you fall into this category, remember that you are unlikely to achieve reversing distance.

Burning household waste Is forbidden and includes:

  1. leaves and garden waste, including grass and grass clippings, twigs and house and garden plants;
  2. boxboard containing boxes for cereals, shoes, tissues and detergents; AND
  3. construction or demolition materials, including sawdust, wood shavings, boards, siding, wood beams, plastics and rubber.

Burning bonfire (open fire with a diameter of 0.5 meters) is forbidden except public or private campsites.

Outdoor wood-burning appliances If allowed without permission if they meet the criteria specified in the Statute.

CSA or ULC certified propane or natural gas burning device: These devices are not subject to the provisions of these Regulations, however all manufacturer’s instructions must be followed. They are not subject to time limits.

If your property is NO fed by both city water AND sewage, you are in what is known as a permit-free zone. Most rural plots in the commune are located in a zone where no permit is required.

In addition to the above criteria, the following communities are defined as permit-free zones: