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Open Air Burning Permit
Under the City of Hamilton By-law 02-283, (PDF, 768 KB) open-air burning is only allowed in areas that have been designated as rural. These designations are as set out in our Official Plan . All open-air burning must adhere to the Open Air Burning Guidelines (PDF, 127 KB)
Open Air Burning Permits
There are 3 types of open air burning a resident in the rural area is permitted to conduct with the purchase an Open Air Burning Permit:
Standard Fire
- Maximum size: 2m x 2m x 1m in height
- Minimum clearances: 30m to any building or other combustible material
Recreational Campfire
- Maximum size: 0.6m in diameter
- Minimum clearances: 3m to any building or other combustible material
Outdoor Fireplace
- Maximum size: Flames confined to the fireplace unit and do not extend into the chimney
- Minimum clearances: 3m to any building or other combustible material
What type of burning does not require an open air burning permit?
The following are allowed in both rural and urban areas. They do not require a permit.
- An outdoor propane or natural gas fire pit
- A small, confined fire that is supervised at all times and used to cook food on a grill or a barbecue.
Important Information
- Open Air Burning Permits will only be issued to property owners, or to those with written authorization from the owner. If you need to submit written authorization it can be emailed to [email protected].
- You are only allowed to burn clean wood and brush.
2022 Fee $26.30
How to purchase a burn permit
Online: Purchase my permit
Drop Box Application: Print and Complete the Application for Open Air Burn Permit form (PDF, 280 KB). The application and fee payable by cheque to the City of Hamilton - Fire Prevention can dropped off in person to drop boxes at select City locations.
In person drop box locations:
- Hamilton City Hall - 71 Main Street West, Hamilton
- Glanbrook Municipal Service Centre - 4280 Binbrook Road, Glanbrook
- Stoney Creek Municipal Service Centre - 777 Highway #8, Stoney Creek
- Dundas Municipal Service Centre - 60 Main Street, Dundas
Your burn permit will be mailed to you. If you provide an email address on the application, a scanned copy of the burn permit will also be emailed.
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