Open Air Burn Permits

An Open Air Burn Permit allows you to conduct controlled, seasonal burning or enjoy a backyard campfire on your residential property in the City of Cornwall. You can only burn during the approved season from May 1 to September 30, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and midnight. Your permit is valid for three seasons: 

• 2026 

• 2027

• 2028

Apply for an Open Air Burn Permit

You can apply for your Open Air Burn Permit online, and we will review your application within 10 business days. The cost for a three-season permit is $100. Please note that we only review applications between April 1 and September 30.

Before you start

Before you burn, please review the following: 

• Allowed burn size: Your fire must be no larger than 45 cm in length, width and height (about 18 inches).

• Setback distance: Keep your fire at least 7.5 metres (24.6 feet) away from any building, fence, tree, property line, roadway or overhead wire.

• Approved materials: You may only burn clean, seasoned hardwood. Burning yard waste, construction materials or noxious items is strictly prohibited.

• Safety equipment: You must have a rake or shovel and a working extinguisher (like water or a fire extinguisher) nearby at all times.

You may not burn when there is:

• Rain or fog

• A smog alert is in effect

• A burn ban is active

• Wind speed exceeding 15 km/h

For complete details, you can read the Open Air Burning By-Law.

Report a nuisance or illegal burn

If you’d like to report a burn that is illegal or creating a nuisance, such as excessive smoke, please call 613-932-2110 ext. 3. If your fire is reported as a nuisance, you must put it out right away. If you do not, we will extinguish it and charge you a minimum fee of $459.