What are Ottawa's bylaws for backyard fires and fire pits?

Ottawa's rules for backyard fires and fire pits are governed primarily by the City of Ottawa Open Air Fire By-law (By-law 2004-163, as amended), enforced by Ottawa Fire Services. Understanding these rules before installing or using a fire pit saves you from fines that start at $500 for a first offence and can escalate significantly for repeat violations or fires that cause damage.

For recreational backyard fires — meaning a fire pit used for warmth or ambiance, not cooking — the by-law permits fires in approved containers or fire pits provided several conditions are met. The fire must be contained in a non-combustible container or pit, the flames must not exceed 0.6 metres (about 2 feet) in height, and the fire must be located at least 3 metres from any building, structure, fence, property line, or overhead obstruction such as tree branches or a pergola. You must have a means of extinguishing the fire immediately on hand — a connected garden hose or a fire extinguisher, not just a bucket of water. An adult must supervise the fire at all times, and the fire must be fully extinguished before being left unattended.

Only clean, dry, seasoned wood may be burned. The by-law explicitly prohibits burning construction lumber, pressure-treated wood, painted or stained wood, plywood, particle board, garbage, leaves, yard waste, or any material that produces excessive smoke or odour. Violations of this provision are the most commonly enforced because neighbours report the smoke — and Ottawa Fire Services does respond to these complaints.

Natural gas and propane fire pits are treated differently and are generally subject to fewer restrictions than wood-burning fires because they produce no sparks, minimal smoke, and can be shut off instantly. However, a permanently installed gas fire pit must still comply with Ontario Building Code clearance requirements and requires a gas permit and TSSA inspection for the fuel connection. The 3-metre setback from structures still applies to the flame itself, though some CSA-certified enclosed gas fire pit units have tested clearance-to-combustibles ratings that may allow closer placement — check the manufacturer's specifications.

Ottawa also imposes seasonal and condition-based restrictions. Open air fires of any kind are prohibited during a fire ban, which Ottawa Fire Services declares during extended dry periods — typically a few times each summer. During a ban, even contained fire pits are not permitted, though enclosed CSA-certified gas appliances are sometimes exempt. Check the City of Ottawa website or Ottawa Fire Services social media channels for active fire ban notices before lighting up.

If you live in a townhouse, condominium, or rental property, your condo corporation or landlord may have additional restrictions beyond the city by-law — many condo boards prohibit fire pits entirely on balconies and shared patios. For more about planning fire features that comply with Ottawa's regulations and suit your patio layout, the Patio IQ has answers to common planning questions.

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