300Bucks.ca Acquires Fire Pit By Law Information for the City of Mississauga

Open Air Burning By Law in Mississauga. Be Safe and Aware Campaign.

Mississauga Fire Pit Rules and Regulations

Ensure outdoor fires are safe by following the revised open air burning by-law. By Law 0049-2003

Which Fires Require Permits?

• All open air and fire pit fires other than cooking fires and those in manufactured outdoor fireplaces (Chimneas)

Which Fires Do Not Require Permits?

• Those in manufactured fireplaces (Chimneas)
• Cooking Fires

All Open Air Burning Not Permitted:

• If it is a nuisance to the public
• during smog alerts covering the City of Mississauga

Permit extensions for smog alert days may be obtained by calling the number on the back of your permit. Smog alert days are identified on the Ontario Air Quality Website at http://www.airqualityontario.com

Open Air Burning Permit Regulations

The Open Air Burning By-law states a permit holder can set an open air between sunrise and sunset (daylight hours) if:

• If it does not create a nuisance
• A smog alert is not in effect
• The fire is constantly attended
• A suitable means of extinguishment is available while the fire is burning
• It is at a distance of more than 50 metres, from any structure, property line, roadway, overhead wire or other combustible article
• If any combustible ground cover is at least 5 metres away
• The wind velocity is less than 24 kilometres per hour
• It is less than 1 square metre in the area
• It does not exceed 1 metre in height
• A copy of the permit is available on site for review if requested

Manufactured Outdoor fireplaces

A chiminea may be operated without a permit between sunrise and 11 p.m. if:

• It does not create a nuisance
• A smog alert is not in effect
• The owner maintains constant watch and control over the outdoor fireplace from the time
  of the setting of the fire until the fire is totally extinguished
• A portable fire extinguisher or operable garden hose is available while the unit is in operation
• It is located at a distance of at least 5 metres from any structure, property line, roadway, overhead wire or other combustible article
• It is placed on a non-combustible surface extending beyond the unit to a dimension equal to the height of the unit

Cooking fires

A person may set and maintain a cooking fire without a permit between sunrise and 11 p.m. if:

• The fire does not create a nuisance
• A smog alert is not in effect
• The owner maintains constant watch and control over the outdoor fireplace from the time of the setting of the fire until the fire is totally extinguished
• A suitable means of extinguishment is available when the fire is burning
• The fire is located 5 metres from and any building, structure, property line, overhead wire or other combustible article
• There is no combustible ground cover within 5 metres of the fire
• The wind velocity is not greater than 24 kilometres per hour
• The fire is not more than 0.3 metres in size and height

Offence and Enforcement

A firefighter may order a fire to be extinguished immediately if the fire:

• Is not set in compliance with this by-law
• Is determined upon inspection by the Firefighter to constitute a safety hazard or concern

A permit under this by-law may be revoked by the Fire Chief if the permit holder fails to comply with the requirements of the permit and/or any other provisions of this by-law. A person who is convicted of an offence under this by-law is liable to a fine and penalty pursuant to the provisions of the Provincial Offense Act R.S.O 1990, c.P.33., as amended.

Permits

Permits for open air fires can be obtained at the Civic Centre 8^th floor Fire Prevention Office or at Fire Headquarters, 15 Fairview Road between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. by completing a permit application and providing the associated fee.

Identification such as drivers license is required.

The Fire Chief may impose any additional safety requirements in the interest of public safety or to minimize inconvenience to the general public.  In cases of special events, the Fire Chief may make certain adjustments with respect to permits based on conditions and circumstances.

Dos & Don’ts

Do

• Get a permit for open air burning
• Ensure the fire is 50 metres away from other objects or buildings
• Keep a copy of the permit on site while the fire is burning
• Stay with the fire until it is extinguished
• Follow the Open Air Burning By-law requirements

Don’t

• Burn during smog alerts
• Leave a fire unattended
• Burn garbage or other non-wood products

Contact Numbers
Mississauga fire & Emergency Services

Fire Prevention Division	905 - 896-5908
Public Education	905-615-3477
Administration	905-615-3777