Outdoor Burning

All outdoor fires are regulated by the Town of Whitby's Fires By-law. Open air burning is considered the burning of any material outside of a building. Chimineas, firebowls and campfires are all examples of fires that are not permitted under the by-law.

Under the By-law, the following devices are permitted:

Propane or gas fuelled barbecues
Grills
Cooking appliances
Gas fireplaces approved for outdoor use by the Technical Standards and Technical Safety Authority of Ontario (TSSA) or other approval agency

For all other open air burning, a burn permit process is in place to allow for the burning of brush related to farming and land maintenance.

Apply for a fire permit

The Town of Whitby issues two types of fire permits to allow for the burning of brush related to farming and land maintenance. If you don't have an approved fire permit and have an outdoor fire, you may be subject to a fine and charged under the by-law and the Ontario Fire Code.

Rural Residential Fire Permit

If you'd like to burn tree trimmings in an approved rural location, please complete the Online Rural Residential Fire Permit Application. Your request will be reviewed by the Fire Department and we will contact you with your results. It costs $90.40 for a rural residential fire permit. If your application is approved, we will arrange payment at that time.

Your burn permit will expire four months after approval.

What material can't I burn?

You cannot burn the following materials with this permit:

Construction material
Wood
Brush
Leaves

Visit garbage and recycling for proper disposal of these items.

Agricultural Fire Permit

If you'd like to burn brush or vegetation on agricultural or farm land, please complete the Agricultural Fire Permit Application. Your request will be reviewed by the Fire Department and we will contact you with your results. It costs $90.40 for an agricultural fire permit. If your application is approved, we will arrange payment at that time.

Your burn permit will expire at the end of the calendar year.

What material can't I burn with this permit?

You cannot burn the following materials with this permit:

Burning of off-site landscaping debris
Garbage or construction material

Visit garbage and recycling for proper disposal of these items.

Permit bans and suspensions

In the interest of public safety, Whitby Fire and Emergency Services reserves the right to issue a ban, or temporarily suspend all burn permits should conditions as determined by Whitby Fire and Emergency Services warrant such action.