Annual burn permits are required in the Municipality of Meaford, in accordance with the Open Air Burning By-law #2022-13. Here’s everything you need to know about burn permits, so you can burn safely and responsibly.
Register For A Burn Permit
- A permit number is required before starting any burn.
- A separate permit must be obtained for each type of open air burn.
- Only one fire is permitted to burn at any given time.
Note:
- Permit applications submitted during business hours (Monday–Friday) will be reviewed within 24 hours.
- Applications submitted on weekends will be reviewed the following business day.
- Once approved, your permit number will be issued through Meaford Burn Permits.
Get a burn permit
What You Need To Know
- Annual Permits: Permits expire on December 31 of each year.
- Fire must be out by 1am unless property is over 1 acre for outdoor fireplaces and fire pits
- Setbacks: Fires must comply with setback requirements based on burn type and size.
- Location Restrictions: Fires are not allowed in front yards without approval from the Chief Fire Official.
- Approved Materials Only: Burn only clean wood or by-products of clean wood. Household or yard waste is strictly prohibited.
- Weather Considerations:
- No burning during smog alerts or when wind speeds exceed 20 km/h.
- Burning is prohibited during fire bans.
- Minimize Nuisance: Ensure the fire does not disturb neighboring properties.
- Notifications for Larger Fires: Bonfires, Brush Fires, Controlled Fires, and Demolition Fires require notification at the start of each burn.
Types Of Burn Permits
Six Types of Open Air Burn Permits
- An Open Air Fire that is not greater than 0.8m (2.6ft) in diameter and 0.8m (2.6ft) in height and is within a manufactured non-combustible enclosed container such as fire bowls with spark arrestors on top or chimineasFire must be out by 1am unless property is over 1 acre
- Schedule ‘A’ – Outdoor Fireplace
- An Open Air Fire that is greater than 0.8m (2.6ft) in diameter and 0.8m (2.6ft) in height but not greater than 1 cubic meter in diameter and is within an approved device enclosed on all sides
- Must be constructed of masonry, concrete, stone, heavy gauge metal or other non-combustible materials
- Fire must be out by 1am unless property is over 1 acre
- Schedule ‘A’ – Outdoor Firepit
- An Open Air Fire that is greater than 1 cubic meter but is not greater than 2.2m(7ft) in length, by 2.2m (7ft) in width, by 2.2m (7ft) in height
- This type of permit requires approval from the Chief Fire Official, whom you are required to notify at the start of each burn
- Fire can only be conducted on a parcel of land over 1 acre and can burn at any time
- Schedule ‘A’ – Bonfire
- An Open Air Fire that is greater than 2.2m(7ft) length, 2.2m (7ft) in width, and 2.2m(7ft) in height but is not greater than 3m (10ft) in length, by 3m (10ft) in width, by 3m (10ft) in height
- Must be for the sole purpose of burning wood, tree limbs and branchesThis type of permit requires approval from the Chief Fire Official whom you are required to notify at the start of each burnFire cannot be set, maintained or operated 2 hours prior to sunset
- Schedule ‘A’ – Brush Fire
- An Open Air Fire that is greater than 3m (10ft) in length, by 3m (10ft) in width, by 3m (10ft) in height but not greater than 6m (20ft) in length, by 6m (20ft) in width, by 6m (20ft) in height
- This type of permit requires approval from the Chief Fire Official, whom you are required to notify at the start of each burn
- Fire cannot be set, maintained or operated 2 hours prior to sunset
- Schedule ‘A’ – Controlled Fire
- An Open Air Fire designed to remove a structure of only clean clear wood, with no indication of materials that are Household Waste, with an attached Building Permit to demolish the structure
- This type of permit requires approval from the Chief Fire Official, whom you are required to notify at the start of each burn
- Fire cannot be set, maintained or operated 2 hours prior to sunset
Frequently Asked Questions
An outdoor fire pit is similar to a traditional campfire. It is open to the air and usually enclosed by a ring of rocks, masonry, or metal.
An outdoor fireplace is a manufactured, enclosed device such as a chiminea or fire bowl. These units usually have spark arrestors and are designed to contain the fire more fully.
When applying for a permit, it is important to carefully read the description of each burn type. Permit requirements vary based on:
- The type of fire you plan to have
- Property size
- Required setbacks from buildings and other combustibles
Choosing the correct permit helps ensure your fire is safe and compliant with the by-law.
No. Each burn permit account must use a unique phone number. Using the same number can delay approval.
A Controlled Fire permit is intended for large-scale burns, such as agricultural or land-management fires.
It is not meant for small recreational fires. Many residents assume their fire is “controlled,” but this permit type has specific requirements and is not suitable for typical fire pits or fireplaces.
Fire safety rules are based on minimum distances to reduce the risk of fire spreading. These include how far your fire must be from:
- Buildings
- Trees
- Decks and fences
- Other combustible materials
Reviewing these requirements before applying will help you select the correct permit and avoid delays.
For active burns, you can notify the fire department within your online Burn Permit account or by calling 1-855-693-0080. For steps of how to complete this online, follow the guide.
For additional burn permits, you can update your online Burn Permit account. For steps of how to complete this online, follow the guide.
To apply for a burn permit, create or update your account online. For steps of how to complete this online, follow the guide.
