All fires set within the Township of Southgate are regulated by the Burn By-law. The burn by-law classifies fires into three categories; Recreational Fires, Burn Barrels and Open Air Burning. Visit the options below for more information and to determine if you need a permit.
Recreational Fires
A Recreational Fire is a small fire set in a fire pit or tire rim or other device designed to burn firewood and shall not exceed 1 metre (3 feet) in diameter.
Recreational Fires DO NOT require a permit, and all persons setting or maintaining a recreational fire or cooking fire must comply with the following:
- A recreational fire cannot be bigger than 1 meter (3 feet) in diameter
- A recreational fire must be a minimum of 3 meters (10 feet) from any combustible material and adjacent property lines
- Only paper or kindling can be used to start the fire
- Leaves, compostable material and yard waste cannot be burned in urban areas
Burn Barrels
A Burn Barrel is a metal barrel not exceeding 205 litres (45 imperial gallons). Burn Barrels DO NOT require an approved permit and must comply with the following:
- No persons shall use a burn barrel within an urban area, unless in the instances of a strike or lockout and are located on an industrial or commercial property under constant supervision, at the strike or lockout location
- A burn barrel must be in sound condition with vent holes in the side for ventilation, drainage holes in the bottom with adequate clearance of 3 meters (10 feet) from surrounding vegetation or structures
Open Air Burn Information
An Open Air Burn is a fire greater than 1 meter (3 feet) in diameter. Open Air Burns MUST have a Burn Permit issued and must comply with the following:
- No person shall set or maintain an open air burn larger than 1 metre (3 feet) in a diameter without an approved Burn Permit issued
- Permits shall not be issued to property owners who reside within urban areas of the Township of Southgate, unless otherwise approved by the Chief Fire Official
- Permits shall only be issued to property owners, or to an agent with written permission from the property owner
- All persons setting an open air fire must advise the Dundalk Fire Department of their intention to start the fire, and must provide the location and burn permit number.
- No person shall ignite a fire that has a base greater than 5 meters in diameter (16.5 feet)
- A fire must not be 10 meters (33 feet) from a roadway, building, overhead wire or trees.
- Equipment and an extinguishing agent must be at the burning site to control and prevent the fire from causing an adverse effect
- No person shall plan, set, light or maintain an open air fire except 1/2 an hour after sunrise and be extinguished 1/2 hour after sunset.
Failure to Comply
In the event the Fire Service responded to a recreational fire, burn barrel fire or an open air burn conducted without a permit or in violation of the Burn By-law the full cost of extinguishment apply and may be charged to the property owner and/or permit holder. These charges are at the discretion of the Chief Fire Official and are outlined in the Fees and Charges By-law. Additional set fines are outlined in Schedule A of the Burn By-law
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