Checked
Backyard fires and outdoor cooking rules in St. Catharines, Ontario
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
St. Catharines prohibits ordinary backyard recreational wood fires, firepits and yard-waste burning. A cooking fire outside a barbecue or smoker has a narrow set of conditions and must end when cooking ends.
Key information
St. Catharines prohibits ordinary backyard recreational wood fires, firepits and yard-waste burning. A cooking fire outside a barbecue or smoker has a narrow set of conditions and must end when cooking ends.
On this page
Choose the correct route at a glance
- Do not use a cooking exception to run a recreational fire after the meal
Do not use a cooking exception to run a recreational fire after the meal. Ordinary chimineas, firebowls and outdoor masonry fireplaces are covered by the prohibition.
- For agricultural fires or special uses such as infested trees or a festival
For agricultural fires or special uses such as infested trees or a festival, use the separate Burn Permit process.
- For a propane or natural-gas appliance
For a propane or natural-gas appliance, check its Canadian certification and operate it according to its listed instructions. Report an open-air-fire concern through the city service.
Sources: Backyard fires and chimineas
Conditions for the outdoor cooking exception
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Time | 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Clearance | At least 3 m unless certified for less |
| Person supervising | Constant watch; within 5 m |
| Cooking area | At most 0.75 m² |
| Height | At most 0.3 m |
| Containment | Non-combustible barrier and grill |
Sources: Backyard fires and chimineas
Fuel, extinguishing and neighbours
Only charcoal or dry natural wood that is untreated and unpainted is allowed under the cooking exception. No construction material, manufactured wood or altered wood products.
Have a suitable extinguishing method, such as a hose or extinguisher. The owner or lawful occupant must supervise, and completely extinguish the fire immediately after cooking.
Smoke must not create a hazard or nuisance as determined by Fire Services. Clearance applies to structures, lot lines, balconies, trees, fences, roadways, wires and combustible materials. A metal bowl alone does not create an exemption.
Sources: Backyard fires and chimineas
Choose the correct route
- Do not use a cooking exception to run a recreational fire after the meal. Ordinary chimineas, firebowls and outdoor masonry fireplaces are covered by the prohibition.
- For agricultural fires or special uses such as infested trees or a festival, use the separate Burn Permit process.
- For a propane or natural-gas appliance, check its Canadian certification and operate it according to its listed instructions. Report an open-air-fire concern through the city service.
Sources: Backyard fires and chimineas
Questions and answers
Can I burn leaves in the backyard?
No. Yard-waste burning is prohibited.
Source: Backyard fires and chimineas
Does buying a chiminea make a wood fire lawful?
No. The city specifically lists chimineas and similar outdoor fire devices in the prohibition.
Source: Backyard fires and chimineas
When may an eligible cooking fire operate?
8 a.m. to 11 p.m., only while used for cooking.
Source: Backyard fires and chimineas
How close must the person in control stay?
Within five metres, watching continuously.
Source: Backyard fires and chimineas
What is the ordinary minimum clearance?
Three metres, unless an approved Canadian listing permits a smaller clearance.
Source: Backyard fires and chimineas
Can I burn painted scrap lumber for cooking?
No. Treated, painted, manufactured and construction wood are excluded.
Source: Backyard fires and chimineas
Must the fire have a grill?
Yes. The cooking exception requires a grill and non-combustible barrier.
Source: Backyard fires and chimineas
Can I leave it glowing after the food is cooked?
No. Completely extinguish it immediately when cooking is finished.
Source: Backyard fires and chimineas
Can smoke still make an otherwise compliant fire unacceptable?
Yes. It must not create a hazard or nuisance under Fire Services' assessment.
Source: Backyard fires and chimineas
Is there another route for an agricultural burn?
Yes. Apply through the city’s separate Burn Permit process.
Source: Backyard fires and chimineas
Sources: Backyard fires and chimineas