Backyard fires in Carleton Place
Whether a backyard fire or fire pit is allowed in Carleton Place, Ontario, the permit rule, coverage level, and how to check today's fire ban.
Carleton Place's Open Air Burning By-law (No. 21-2004) flatly bans open fires in town: no permit system exists for backyard fire pits, campfires, or bonfires. The only fires allowed are small confined fires in an approved device (a proper barbecue, chiminea, hibachi, masonry barbecue, or wood-burning fire pot) burning approved fuel, and even those must sit at least 4.5 metres (15 feet) from a building, tree, or overhead wires.
Municipal ruleGas versus wood
Gas and propane fire pits are treated separately from open-air wood burning and are the simplest option; placement rules and any active ban still apply.
Today's fire ban
There's no permit or fire-ban notice system here because open fires are already prohibited year-round under Section 4.1 of the bylaw. The Fire Chief can also declare a fire season (April 1 to October 31) where even burning wood or other inflammable materials in a device is halted until further notice.
For the provincial layer, check Ontario's fire restrictions and the Forest Fire Information Map, which show Restricted Fire Zones across the fire region.
Two separate rules can stop a backyard fire in Ontario: a municipal fire ban, which any municipality can declare during a dry spell, and a provincial Restricted Fire Zone, declared only in the northern fire region. Either one overrides your normal permission, so check both before you light up.
Carleton Place backyard fire questions
Can I have a backyard fire in Carleton Place?
Carleton Place's Open Air Burning By-law (No. 21-2004) flatly bans open fires in town: no permit system exists for backyard fire pits, campfires, or bonfires. The only fires allowed are small confined fires in an approved device (a proper barbecue, chiminea, hibachi, masonry barbecue, or wood-burning fire pot) burning approved fuel, and even those must sit at least 4.5 metres (15 feet) from a building, tree, or overhead wires. Source: Town of Carleton Place, By-law No. 21-2004 (Open Air Burning By-law), last checked 2026-07-02.
Are gas or propane fire pits allowed in Carleton Place?
Gas and propane fire pits are treated separately from open-air wood burning and are the simplest option; placement rules and any active ban still apply.
How do I know if there is a fire ban in Carleton Place today?
There's no permit or fire-ban notice system here because open fires are already prohibited year-round under Section 4.1 of the bylaw. The Fire Chief can also declare a fire season (April 1 to October 31) where even burning wood or other inflammable materials in a device is halted until further notice. For the provincial picture, check Ontario's fire restrictions page and the Forest Fire Information Map, which show Restricted Fire Zones in the fire region.
What can I burn in Carleton Place?
Only clean, dry, untreated firewood for a recreational fire. Burning household garbage, leaves, brush, painted or treated wood, and construction debris is prohibited across Ontario, fire ban or not.
When is fire season in Ontario?
Ontario's official fire season runs April 1 to October 31. During it the province manages wildfire and can declare a Restricted Fire Zone in the northern fire region. Municipal open-air burning rules apply all year, so check Carleton Place's by-law any time of year.
What happens if I have a fire during a ban in Carleton Place?
Municipalities and the province can fine illegal open-air burning, and you can be billed for the cost of fighting any fire you start. If a ban or Restricted Fire Zone is in effect, do not burn, even if you hold a permit.
Source
From Town of Carleton Place, By-law No. 21-2004 (Open Air Burning By-law), last checked 2026-07-02. If the fire department has to put out an unauthorized fire, the town can charge a $300 cost-recovery fee to the landowner, added to property taxes if unpaid. Enforcement is by the Fire Chief, by-law officers, or Carleton Place Police.
This is a plain-language summary, not the bylaw, and not legal advice. Open-air burning rules and bans change quickly, especially in dry weather. Always check your municipality's page and today's ban status before you light anything.
Other municipalities: Beckwith, Drummond/North Elmsley, Lanark Highlands, Mississippi Mills. Or see every municipality.