Open Air Burning - Town of Richmond Hill

Background of the Open
Air Burning By-law
At their meeting on July 11, 2005, Council approved a revision to the current
Open Air Burning By-law. As per section 7.1 of the Fire Protection & Prevention
Act (1997), Council established an open air burning by-law and stringent
conditions for open air burning, including when open air fires may be set.
As open air fires can present undue risk, health hazards, unfair environmental
practices and inappropriate recycling measures, Fire & Emergency Services,
after much deliberation, analysis and research, determined that open air
burning may be permitted only if residents obtain permits and are able to
meet the minimum requirements set out in the By-law. However, a small
contained fire for the purposes of supervised cooking on a grill (maximum
24” x 36”) is allowed without having to obtain a permit, according to the
Ontario Fire Code.
The By-law also contains a provision that enables the Chief Fire Official to
approve open air burning in special circumstances.
Open Air Burning
By-law
Open air burning is allowed in the Town of Richmond Hill, however you must
have a permit and abide by the requirements stated within the by-law.
If you are having a small contained fire on a grill (maximum 24” x 36”) for
cooking purposes, a permit is not needed as long as the fire is supervised.
This by-law promotes health and safety in the community while promoting
the responsibilities of the citizens.
Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services
wants you to know about...
Open Air
Burning
These revisions, however, only allow that the approved open air burning
practice would be conducted in a stringent and accountable fashion
while providing the most safe fire practices as can be obtained. The revised
By-law enhances the health and safety initiatives of the Town of Richmond Hill.
For more information contact:
Town of Richmond Hill Fire Prevention Division
905-883-5444
fireprevention@richmondhill.ca
Emergency
9-1-1
To obtain information about the Town of Richmond Hill in your preferred language,
please call Access Richmond Hill at 905-771-8800.
[PB010-ENG]
Produced by the Communication Services, Strategic Initiatives Division, Office of the CAO,
with information provided by Richmond Hill Fire Prevention;
last updated July 2011.

Open Air Burning
Questions & Answers
The following is a list of frequently asked questions and answers to help
you better understand the open air burning by-law.
Q: I have purchased a propane barbecue. Do I need a permit to cook
my food?
A: No. Propane powered products are regulated by the Technical
Standards and Safety Authority. Cooking on a propane barbecue is
not considered open air burning. However, residents should conduct
their propane barbecue practices in a safe and courteous manner
and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Q: Can I use an outdoor cooking device for purposes other than
cooking?
A: Devices intended for cooking purposes should be used for cooking
purposes only. If you are in doubt, contact the Fire Prevention
Division.
Q: My neighbour is cooking on an outdoor cooking device and the
smoke is bothering me. What can I do?
A: Contact Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services at
905-883-5444 and explain the situation. They may respond and assess
the situation.
Q: I have purchased an outdoor cooking device that will use charcoal
or small wood chips. I do not have the required clearances as stated
in your By-law. Can I still use this device to cook?
A: Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services will allow cooking on these
types of devices (e.g. hibachi, charcoal grill, etc.) provided that
the intent is to provide cooking that will be confined to a small grill
on the device and supervised at all times. The grill shall not exceed
the dimensions of 60.96 cm x 91.44 cm (24” x 36”). Otherwise, a
permit will be required. As well, the device should be kept as far
away from combustible surfaces, overhangs and property lines as
possible. Should Fire & Emergency Services receive a complaint with
this cooking practice, the resident may be required to discontinue
cooking in this manner.
Q: Is there a fee for the permit or site inspection?
A: Yes. The fee is $35 for the permit or site inspection.
Q: What happen if I complain about someone conducting open air
burning?
A: Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services, upon receipt of a complaint,
will respond to the incident scene. The Fire Incident Commander has
a number of options that may include telling the resident to put out
the fire and discontinue burning until Fire Prevention staff can fully
investigate the complaint. All incidents referred to the Fire Prevention
Division will be investigated within three business days. In matters
where no violation of the open air burning by-law exists, residents
may be allowed to continue with their approved burning practices
at the discretion of the Fire Incident Commander.
Q: I want to burn brush or discard of other ordinary wood combustibles
in my backyard or on my property. What is required?
A: An application must be made for a permit. Contact the Fire
Prevention Division at 905-883-5444 and ask to speak to a Fire
Inspector. Please allow at least three business days for a permit
request. The Fire Inspector will then arrange to conduct a site
inspection with you. NOTE: A minimum of 15 metres (50’) clearance
is required to any property line, structure, fence, roadway etc. before
a permit application request will be considered.
Q: How long can the permit be valid for?
A: Dependent upon the circumstances and assessed need, the Fire
Inspector can provide dates of burning up to one calendar year
in length. Regardless of the date of the issuance of the permit, all
permits expire as of December 31 in the calendar year that they
were issued. A new application for a burning permit will then be
required for the following calendar year.
Q: What enforcement options are there if someone continues to burn
without a permit or contrary to the provisions of the By-law?
A: Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services can invoice a resident for
the costs incurred for apparatus response to an open air burning
complaint. There is a $410 per hour cost for each apparatus that
responds to a justified open air burning complaint. Further, fire code
charges could be laid against an individual or organization. The
maximum penalty could result in a fine of $50,000, imprisonment or
both.
Q: Will there be times when I will not be allowed to burn even though
I have a valid permit to conduct open air burning?
A: The Fire Inspector will stipulate times on the permit when burning
will be allowed. However, there will be times when the Chief Fire
Official deems that a ban on open air burning shall take place. This
often happens in hot summer months when there is a burden on the
municipal water supply or the onset of smog advisories and alerts
or other emergency conditions where a ban is deemed necessary.
Residents should contact Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services
if they are unsure if a ban is in place.
Q: Are some open air burning devices for sale in retail establishments
banned for use in Richmond Hill?
A: Retailers do offer devices such as copper bowls, chimeneas, steel
cages, etc., intended for use for open air burning. These devices
are not banned for sale; however, the provisions of By-law 51-05
stating, “A bylaw to prescribe the conditions and times for permitting
open air burning” may dictate that these devices may not be able
to be used for open air burning on your specific property. If you
are in doubt whether you will be able to use these devices on your
property, please contact the Fire Prevention Division for advice prior
to purchasing these products.
Q: How do I dispose of yard waste that I might otherwise have burned?
A: The Town collects yard waste as part of its waste management
program. For information on the pick-up date in your neighbourhood,
please refer to the Waste Management Calendar, which was
delivered to your home and is also available on the Town’s Website
a RichmondHill.ca. If you have any questions about yard or other
waste disposal, call the Operations Centre at 905-884-8013.