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Community

Open Air Fire Permits (Burn Permits)

Is my property eligible for an Open Air Fire Permit or Outdoor Fireplace and Campfire

BY-LAW NO. 2004-163
Schedule D (By-law No. 2010-261)

Burn Permit Map

What is the cost of a permit?

  • $14 (tax included) for an Annual Permit 
  • $14 (tax included) for an Annual Agricultural Permit that may include up to four (4) properties 
  • $52 (tax excluded) for a Specific Event Permit 

Burn Permits (or Open Air Fire Permits) are issued under the Open Air Fire By-law No. 2004-163, which regulates the conditions under which fires may be set in the open air.

Further details are as follows:

  • A permit is required in order to light a fire on private property; this includes having a backyard fire or using a large fire pit.
  • A permit is not necessary for outdoor natural gas, propane or ethanol fireplaces.
  • If a device is designed and intended solely for the cooking of food in the open air, it does not require an open air fire permit, provided it does not burn wood, tree limbs, branches and non-compostable material limited to paper and sisal twine. Approved cooking appliances include gas, charcoal or propane BBQ/hibachis or gas or propane outdoor fireplace [must be ULC approved].

Where can I obtain an Open Air Fire Permit?

Open Air Fire Permits can be obtained at any City of Ottawa Client Service Centre.

Need to renew your permit?

You can renew your permit at all the locations noted below (as per their hours of operations).  Renewals can also be done by mail (as per the mail-out existing clients receive from Ottawa Fire Services).

Free Well Water Testing

Why should you test your well water?

Well water can contain harmful bacteria that causes stomach cramps, diarrhea and other health concerns. Private well owners are encouraged to get their water tested every spring, summer and fall, even if it looks, tastes and smells fine. 

Whether your test results are positive or negative, understand that the sample you collected is just a “snapshot” of your well’s water quality. The more samples you have tested, the more confident you can be about the quality of the water you are drinking.

In addition to regularly testing well water, owners should inspect their well at least once a year to make sure it is free from damage and in good working condition.

Public Health Ontario (PHO) Laboratories test for the indicators of bacterial contamination (coliforms and E. coli). The sample is not tested for any other contaminants (e.g. nitrates, sodium). Click here for a list of licensed labs that can test your private well water for chemicals.