Outdoor fire safety

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Ottawa Fire Service is unable to permit public access to our facilities. Effective immediately, all fire permits must be completed online.

You can now renew your existing or apply for a new Open Air Fire Permit (Annual, Annual-Restricted and Annual Agricultural) online with the following payment options: MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Interac Online, MasterCard Debit and Visa Debit.

Here’s how to renew or apply online:

1. Sign in to your MyServiceOttawa account. If you don't have an account, create one
2. Once you are signed in, navigate to the “Open air fire permits” portal, located on your MyServiceOttawa dashboard (homepage) under Services.
3. Click “Apply for or renew open air permits” or “View all open air fire permits” to enter the Open Air Fire Permit portal and follow instructions.  
4. Please note for renewals you will be prompted to insert your PIN and Permit Number, found on your annual renewal notice. If you have registered for other permits through MyServiceOttawa, you may not be prompted to enter your PIN and permit number. Please note your new open air fire permit will not be mailed or emailed to you.

Additional ways to get an open air fire permit:

• By mail (via your annual renewal form provided in 2017)
• In person at the City’s Client Service Centres and Rural Fire Administration Offices. This service is currently not available in person due to COVID-19 closures.

Need help (i.e Lost your PIN?) or have a question:

• Please email OFSOpenAirFirePermits@ottawa.ca Please allow 1-2 business days for an initial response after sending an email.
• For more immediate support, please contact 3-1-1.

Open Air Fire Permit New Online Service Users

What you need to know (Helpful Information Guide)

Renewals:

Want to renew your permit? This is what you need:

• A MyServiceOttawa account
• Your PIN and 2017 Permit Number found on your annual renewal notice/letter which you would have received late last year in the mail. If you have registered for other permits through MyServiceOttawa, you may not be prompted to enter your PIN and permit number.   
• After following Steps 1-4 (above): Once you are in the solution, you will be prompted with question “Do you have a valid 2017 Open Air Fire Permit with the City of Ottawa?” you should select “Yes” and follow further instructions.
• For Annual Agricultural Only: You must go through the renewal process within the solution and pay for your agricultural open air fire permit before you can update the properties on your agricultural permit for 2018 calendar year. Why? Because it is not considered a renewal if you are adding new items to the existing permit.
• Note: To be considered a renewal (online) you will have had a valid 2017 Open Air Fire Permit (in general, this means you had a permit in 2017). If you did not have a permit in 2017, you will be considered a new applicant online.

New Applicant:

Want to get a open air fire permit online? This is what you need:

• A MyServiceOttawa account
• A civic address is required in order to get an open air fire permit. For agricultural permits, one (the primary) of the four properties on the permit needs a civic address.
• After following Steps 1-4 (above): Once you are in the solution, you will be prompted to enter the address (where you wish to have an open air fire) and press the “Address Search” button. Your address details will be confirmed and you will only proceed to get an open air fire permit, if the address provided falls within a burn zone and you are eligible for a permit. If not you will receive an error message. Learn more about City of Ottawa burn zones.  

General User Information

• Payment: This online service solution has a payment component. After reviewing the Terms and Conditions of your permit (and selecting I Agree), you will automatically be directed to the payment solution. After payment is made and successful you will receive an email. For more information on payment visit the Open Air Fire Permit Help section located within the MyServiceOttawa portal.
• Where can I find my new (active) 2018 permit number? It will be updated (and located) on your “Open Air Fire Permit Summary” webpage. Please note: At the end of the payment process there will be a link that states “Return to Open Air Fire Permits” if you select that you will return to your Open Air Fire Permit Summary webpage and receive a Thank You message. Review that message. You may be required to refresh your browser window to see your active permit number.
• I want to Print or Save my new/active permit, where can I find it? After you have made a successful payment and you can see your new active permit number you can print your permit if you choose by selecting the VIEW/RENEW PERMIT button. Within you will see a PRINT button. Please note your new open air fire permit will not be mailed or emailed to you. You can access your permit online anytime as follows (above) and choose to print it, or you can see your permit number on the MyServiceOttawa open air fire widget. 
• Specific event fire permits: Cannot be purchased online as they require in-person assistance.

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.

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

Please find your property (area/location) on the Burn Zone Schedule to confirm if you are able to obtain an Open Air Fire Permit or have an Outdoor Fireplace and Campfire.

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).

The following client service centres only issue Open Air Fire Permits, one day per week, in accordance with the following schedule.

Open Air Fire Permits can also be obtained at the following Rural Fire Administration Offices below. Please contact the office you wish to visit by phone in advance to ensure that someone is available to assist you upon arrival.

Please note: The Rural Fire Administration Offices are currently closed.

Payment options: Cash, cheque, debit and credit card payment is accepted at all locations above.

For more details on days and locations, call 613-580-2880.

Specific Event Open Air Fire Permits 

A specific event open air fire permit allows open air fires (based on approval from Ottawa Fire Services, Fire Prevention Division) that are normally not allowed in designated no burn areas of the City. Only a community not-for-profit organization or a religious institution may apply for a specific event open air fire permit to conduct campfires for cultural, religious or recreational specific events.

Please complete the Specific event open air fire permit application form and submit it to SpecificEventFire@ottawa.ca along with a letter of permission from the property owner.

Once these two documents have been received by administration, a Fire Prevention Officer will be assigned to complete a site inspection.

Applicants will not be required to come into the Fire Prevention Office. The applicant will meet the Fire Prevention Officer (FPO) onsite during the inspection. Once the inspection has been cleared, the FPO will sign the completed application form and return it to the applicant. The applicant will then be directed to go to any Client Service Centre location to provide the payment ($59.89) for the permit. Note: the specific event open air fire permit will not be issued by Client Service Centre. The fire permit will be emailed to the client within 2-3 business days via email from SpecificEventFire@ottawa.ca 

Please allow a minimum of 15 business days to process your permit application. Payment ($59.89) is due upon permit issuance, not upon application.

Cheques, cash, credit or debit cards are accepted for a Specific Event Open Air Fire Permit at any Client Service Centre location.

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 
• $59.89 (tax included) for a Specific Event Permit 

Do I need any special information in order to apply for a permit?

Identification is required to obtain a new Open Air Fire Permit.  Acceptable ID is a Driver’s Licence or a City of Ottawa Tax bill.

If you are applying for an Annual Agricultural Permit, you must provide a copy of your Farm Business Registration Number at the time of application. This permit will allow you to burn windrows fires overnight from Monday to Friday. These types of fires are usually left to burn for days at a time due to their size (i.e., 50 metres in length, 5 metres in width and 3 metres in height) and require supervision at all times. For more information on Annual Agricultural Permits or windrows fires, please contact the City of Ottawa at 3-1-1.

You must be the legal owner of a property to obtain a permit for it. If you do not own the property, you must provide written consent from the landowner authorizing your permit application.

What forms of payment are accepted?

Cheques, credit or debit cards are accepted at all Client Service Centres.

Only cheques are accepted at the Ottawa Fire Services locations, which do not have the capability to accept other forms of payment.

Cheques, credit or debit cards are accepted for a Specific Event Permit only at Fire Prevention Division, 1445 Carling Avenue

Where can I get a copy of the Open Air Fire By-law?

The Open Air Fire By-law is available on the City’s website or by calling 3-1-1.

Do I have to notify Ottawa Fire Services before I start an open air fire?

Yes. Prior to setting an open air fire, you must first contact Ottawa Fire Services at 613-580-2880 to ensure there that a fire ban is not in effect.

For campfires and outdoor fireplaces you will be asked to follow the conditions and regulations within your permit.

However, if you are burning wood in any other form, such as brush piles, you will be asked to report the Open Air Fire and Permit number at which time you will be provided with a reference number.

For how long will my new permit be valid?

Annual, Annual Restricted and Annual Agricultural Permits are valid from the date of issue until the end of the calendar year (December 31). Specific Event Permits are valid for the date(s) specified on the permit.

Starting December 1, permits can be purchased for the upcoming year.

Renewal forms are sent every year to the home owners who had a permit the previous year.  (No ID is needed for renewal of a permit, identification is only required to obtain a new Open Air Permit)

Why are open air fires prohibited in some areas of the city?

It is unsafe to set and maintain open air fires in certain areas of the City. Population density and average lot size criteria were considered in the determination of the areas in which open air fires are permitted. Risk management issues, such as proximity to dense forest of certain types, were also considered.

Is the use of an outdoor fireplace (either masonry or metal) considered open air burning?

Yes. Although these fireplaces are designed to be used outdoors rather than indoors and may limit the heat and sparks through their design, these reduced levels are still cause for concern. Ottawa Fire Services does not approve of open air burning in urban areas or near buildings. Therefore, outdoor fireplaces are not permitted in urban areas.

What is a fire ban and why can I not have an open air fire when a fire ban is in effect?

A fire ban, which is declared by the Fire Chief or his designate and is based largely on environmental conditions, is a period of time during which no one may set or maintain any open air fire anywhere within the city limits for reasons related to public safety and protection of property.

Do I need to know my permit number?

Yes. It is a requirement to not only be aware of your permit number for purposes of reporting/recording your open air fire to Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) but also to be able to produce the permit upon request, as stipulated by the by-law. Documentation of the locations of larger open air fires by OFS will help the reduce false alarms (i.e., unexpected responses to your home by Ottawa Fire Services).

Please note when you purchase your permit online or in person, this information takes time to be submitted to OFS and entered in their open air fire permit tracking system. If you call in a burn (less than 24 hours after you purchased your permit) please note the communications centre may not have your new permit number on file yet. Please allow 24hrs for your information to be entered into the OFS communications centre system.

While there are no municipal bylaws in Ottawa regarding barbeques on balconies, the Propane Storage and Handling Code (CAN/CSA-B149.2-05) regulates the storage, handling and transfer of propane and the installation of appliances and equipment.

Propane fuelled barbeques are regulated by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). The TSSA has provided the following requirements in regards to propane barbeques:

• barbeques are approved for outdoor use only
• propane cylinders must be safely stored and transported
• propane cylinders are not to be stored inside any structure
• always transport and store cylinders in an upright position
• barbecuing on balconies of apartment buildings or condominium apartments may be prohibited by lease agreements or the Condominium Act (as the owner or agent for the property, building owners, property managers and Condominium Corporations have the legal authority to prohibit barbecuing on the property)
• propane cylinders are to be transported in a service elevator or, when there are no service elevators, the person must use the passenger elevator alone to transport the cylinder
• barbeques must be kept clear of all combustible materials as listed on the barbeque rating plate or certified instructions or must be a minimum of one metre (three feet) from combustible materials
• propane cylinder relief valves must be at least one metre (three feet) horizontally from any building opening below it (including doors and windows); three metres (10 feet) horizontally from the air intake of any appliance or air-moving equipment; and three metres (10 feet) from any source of ignition

Ottawa Fire Services and safety experts with the TSSA recommend the following:

• carefully inspect your barbeque to ensure that the burner is free of obstructions, rust or debris
• replace any damaged parts with the appropriate replacement parts
• test all gas connections for leaks with a 50/50 solution of water and dish soap
• do not leave the barbeque unattended when in use

For persons living in apartment buildings and condominium apartments, Ottawa Fire Services recommends the use of electric barbeques bearing the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approval. Electric barbeques are a safe alternative to propane and charcoal barbeques.

Barbecuing on decks of single family and attached dwelling units follow the same restrictions provided above. Barbecuing in attached garages is prohibited because an attached garage with interior access to a home is considered part of the home and barbeques are approved for outdoor use only.

Homeowners are further advised to consider the dangers to life safety presented from carbon monoxide (CO). Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, colourless and odourless poisonous gas often referred to as 'the silent killer'. Propane and charcoal fuelled barbeques produce carbon monoxide and, therefore, must be operated outdoors.

Additional information regarding safe barbecuing practices can be found on the TSSA website or by contacting Ottawa Fire Services at 613-580-2860.

Follow these safety tips to keep propane a clean, portable and safe fuel:

When transporting propane cylinders...

• Keep valves closed and insert safety plugs, even when they are empty.
• Always stand them upright in a well-ventilated area.
• Always set them down gently.
• Always secure them when transporting in vehicles. Try storing them in plastic milk crates.
• Never leave them in a vehicle for extended periods of time.
• Keep them away from heat or flame.

When using a propane tank...

• Place and secure it on a firm base, away from excessive heat.
• When connecting your cylinder, note that the cylinder-valve connection has a left-hand thread. This can only be used with appliances approved for propane.
• After you have connected the cylinder, check for leaks. Use soapy water or a leak detector - never, never use matches or other open flames.
• Fully open the cylinder valve so that it operates properly.
• Always use a pressure-reducing regulator.
• Do not let the propane cylinder get too hot-the pressure will rise.

When you are NOT using your propane cylinder...

• Close the valve tightly, even when the tank is empty. Insert the safety plug.
• Protect its valve-broken valves can leak.
• Store the cylinder away from flame and heat.
• Store your cylinder outdoors in a well-ventilated area when not in use.
• Place it in a secure, upright position away from open flames or excessive heat.