Campfire on a lake

The Municipality of Port Hope offers burn permits for controlled open air burning for residents in the rural area. Open air burning is not permitted in the urban area. A burn permit is required for all burning in the Municipality of Port Hope and burn permits expire on December 31st of the same year they are issued.

Person burning sticks and leaves in Port HopeWho can apply for a burn permit?

Only property owners in the rural area can apply for a burn permit. A tenant, worker, or family member wishing to apply for a burn permit must submit written authorization from the property owner.

You can apply for a burn permit online for recreational and open-air fires. If you do not have an email address, you can contact the Fire Administration Office by calling 905-753-2230. Please note that you must also contact the Fire Administration office to apply for an over sized burn permit.

Apply for a burn permit 

 What is a Recreational Burn Permit?
  • Must have a base size no larger 1 x 1 x 1 metre / 1 cubic metre or 3.3 x 3.3 x 3.3 feet
  • Must be at least 5 m (16 ft) away from any structure
  • Must be at least 15 m (50 ft) away from property line, any overhead wire or roadway
  • Must be at least 5 m (16 ft) away from flammable vegetation in all directions
  • Permit cost is $25

 What is an Open-Air Burn Permit?
  • Must not exceed 3 m x 3 m x 3 m / 27 cubic metres or (9.8 feet x 9.8 feet x 9.8 feet)
  • Must be a minimum radius of 7.5 metres (24.5 feet) around burn site from cleared vegetation
  • Must be a minimum of 15 metres (50 feet) away from the property line,
  • street/road/highway, any overhead wires, all structures, trees and hedges
  • Permit cost $30

 What is an Over Sized Burn Permit?
  • Must not exceed 6 x 6 x 6 metres / 216 cubic metres or (19.7 x 19.7 x 19.7 feet)
  • Must be a minimum radius of 7.5 metres (24.5 feet) around burn site clear of vegetation
  • Must be a minimum of 30 metres (100 feet) away from the property line,
  • street/road/highway, any overhead wires, all structures, trees, and hedges
  • Must be located on at least 10 acres of land
  • Limited to burning between the hours of 0800 and 1800 hours daily
  • Fires must be out after 1800 hours (6:00 p.m.)
  • A piece of large equipment must be on-site and available for use
  • Permit cost $75

 How do I know if there is a Burn Ban in effect?
  • Burn ban notices will appear on our website and in the local media.
  • These burn bans are for your safety and we ask that you follow them.
  • Those having a fire during a burn ban can be fined and will also be responsible for the costs of all work performed.

 What happens when someone makes a Burn Complaint?
  • Guidelines for all burning are included on your burn permit.
  • When Fire and Emergency Services responds to complaints about burning and they find you are not following these rules, you may be charged for the services used to respond to the complaint, including trucks and staff costs.
  • We also have the right to revoke your burn permit, if necessary.
  • Be a good neighbour and make sure that smoke from your burn is not drifting on to others' property. Your neighbours have a right to complain about your burn if the smoke is causing an issue on their property. 
  • If you need to file a burn complaint, please dial 9-1-1 to reach our dispatch and it will be addressed accordingly.