How to Apply |
Before applying for an Open Air Fire Permit please review the following information:
- Review the full content of this Open Air Fire Permit Application page.
- Is your property eligible to apply for an Open Air Fire Permit?
Validate Property
- A diagram of your property is required for application submission.
- You can provide a hand drawn diagram or leverage the validate property tool to generate a diagram of your property.
- You must identify the following items that apply to your property. See the example below to ensure you have a successful application.
- (1) Location of Proposed Open Air Fire
- (2) Fire Dept. Access Route to Fire
- (3) Ponds, Cisterns, On-site Water Sources
- (4) Property Lines, Boundaries
- (5) Roads, Driveways, Paths
- (6) Buildings, Structures, Obstructions
- (7) Trees, Crops, Vegetation
- (8) Nearest Fire Hydrant
- The following image is an example of a completed property diagram. You can click on the image for a larger view.

Create a Property Diagram Tutorial
- Not the Property Owner of the location?
- Please be advised if you are not the property owner of the application. Please be prepared to provide a Schedule H. This will need to be completed by the property owner and submitted with application.
APPLY ONLINE
Apply now
- $25 plus HST
- The application and payment can be completed online through our website. A service fee of 2.50% of the amount paid is levied by Paymentus for each transaction.
APPLY PAPER APPLICATION
- $35.40 plus HST
- Print a copy of the Open Air Fire Permit Application
- If you need a printed copy or further assistance, please call us at 905-945-2113 or email us at gfd@grimsby.ca
- Submit the completed application form along with a cheque made payable to the Town of Grimsby either by:
- In person, at the Grimsby Fire Department, 261 Ontario Street, Grimsby
- Mail, Town of Grimsby 160 Livingston Ave, Grimsby, ON, L3M 0J5
Once we receive your application we will review the submission and respond to you within 5 business days.
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Farm Fire Permit
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- Open air fires set and maintained on property zoned for agricultural use under the Zoning By-Law require an annual farm fire permit.
- There is no fee for this permit.
- Farm fire permits shall be subject to provisions, conditions and prohibitions as set out in the Open Air Fires By-Law 21-17, as well as Schedule "A" of the Open Air Fires By-Law.
- These permits are also only valid for the calendar year and expire on December 31st of each year.
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Important Considerations |
- Many residential properties are not large enough to meet the clearance requirements for a lawful open air fire.
- Urban area fires require a minimum clearance of 4 metres. (approximately 13 feet) in all directions between the fire and an building, structure, fence, overhead wire, or combustible material.
- Urban area fires require a minimum clearance of 6 metres (approximately 20 feet) to an adjacent property or highway.
- Any person who sets or maintains an open air fire is responsible for ensuring that there are sufficient clearances around the fire.
- Despite having a valid permit, it is unlawful to set or maintain an open air fire that causes smoke, odour, ashes, or embers to invade a neighbouring property thereby causing a nuisance.
- Residents that fail to comply with the regulations will result in fines and/or fees of $775 per hour for each fire truck that responds to extinguish an unsafe or unlawful fire.
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Reporting a Concern |
- Open air burning complaints should be reported while the offence is occurring.
- Serious threat and/or property damage - Call 9-1-1. Remember, this should only be used if it is an emergency situation as the fire department will be dispatched to respond to an emergency.
- Less serious situations (e.g. smoke is creating a nuisance) - call 905-684-4311, the Fire Dispatch Non-Emergency number. A member of the fire department will be dispatched to investigate the complaint.
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By-Law Update |
Effective 2021, a number of changes have occurred and a new Open Air Fire By-law 21-17 has been approved. This is following significant community consultation. Therefore, the following items are new or updated to ensure the by-law supports a safe and healthy community. |
Permits |
- The permit classifications are revised to:
- Farm Fire Permit
- Rural Fire Permit (New)
- Urban Fire Permit (New)
- Campground Fire Permit (New)
- Specific Event Fire Permit (New)
- The former "Urbanized Areas" was replaced with "Urban area".
- A new "Specific Event Fire Permit" was introduced to facilitate campfires by various community groups for a specific occasion or series of occasions.
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Sensitive Receptor Registry |
- Sensitive Receptor Registry is an approach whereby the fire department maintains a confidential database of locations where exposure to smoke may pose a particular risk to the health of an individual or group.
- Residents wishing to be placed on the registry would submit a letter from their physician or a notarized statement attesting to the medical need to have their address placed on the Sensitive Receptor Registry.
- Burn Permits would not be issued, nor open air fires allowed, within 75 metres of a location listed on the registry.
- The registry process is in development. If you have questions about the registry, contact the Fire Department.
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Flaming Devices |
- A new section was added to the By-law to allow the outdoor use of small flaming devices, such as tiki torches and candles.
- The outdoor use of these devices was technically unlawful under the previous By-law, but should be include as an allowable device.
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Flying Lanterns |
- The By-law prohibits the use of these balloon-like "flying lanterns" devices.
- The devices are a fire safety concern because these open flame devices have an uncontrollable and unpredictable flight path when released.
- They can land on trees, building rooftops, and other combustible properties while still ignited thereby creating a public hazard.
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Enforcement |
- The By-law now authorizes the Town's By-law enforcement officers, in addition to Fire prevention staff, to enforce the open air fire by-law, and issue an order to extinguish a fire.
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False or Frivolous Complaints |
- The By-law is in place to ensure that open air fires are safe.
- At times, neighbours are using this matter to solve neighbour disputes rather than a safety concern or true violation of the By-law.
- A monetary penalty and a cost recovery mechanism for repeated responses is now in place for false or frivolous open air burning complaints.
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Appeal |
- An appeal mechanism if charged under the Administrative Penalties is now in place to allow individuals who have been assessed fees or charges under the open air fire by-law, to appeal those fees or charges.
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