Residential Fire Pit Permits

Residential Fire Pit Permits

Fire Pit Permits and Burn Barrel Guidelines

For information on what activities are permitted during a fire ban visit: http://www.albertafirebans.ca/

 

Who Needs a Fire Pit Permit?

People who want to have fire pits or campfires on a residential property need a fire pit permit. No other type of burning is allowed. Burning without a current Permit is contrary to the City of Grande Prairie Bylaw C-1312.

Requirements:

  1. Residential fire pits are only allowed in backyards.
  2. Only registered owners are eligible to take out a Recreational Burning Permit. Renters must show written approval by the owner.
  3. Fire is always attended by a competent person of 18 years of age or older.
  4. A fire pit shall not be located closer than three meters from a property line and from any combustible material, including, but not limited to, buildings, structures, fences, patio decks, trees, and foliage as measured from the nearest fire pit edge.
  5. A fire pit shall not be located less than 0.6 meters laterally from an underground utility line.
  6. The fire pit is either dug into the ground or constructed above the ground in a manner that will prevent the fuel from falling out of the container.
  7. The above-ground portion of the pit is constructed of stone, masonry, metal, or other non-combustible material.
  8. The fire pit should be no more than 3 feet/1 m in diameter or equivalent size if rectangular.
  9. The fire pit shall be covered by a substantial screen or grate with openings not to exceed 12.5 millimetres/ 1.25 centimetres in any dimension.
  10. Portable manufactured fire pits (including chimeneas) shall be located at a safe distance, approximately 10 feet/3 m, from all combustibles (i.e. houses, sheds, structures, fences, trees, decks, power lines, etc..).
  11. No portable manufactured fire pit (including chimeneas) shall be placed on a combustible surface or structure (i.e. wooden decks).
  12. Only burn preservative-free wood or wood products.
  13. Burning is not permitted with winds over 15 km/hr.

Get a Fire Pit Permit Online

Burn Barrel

Burn Barrels will not be permitted for use in a Multi-Parcel Residential subdivision

Burn Barrels require a burning permit

Burn Barrel means a non-combustible structure or container located on public or private property, used for recreational open burning, and constructed pursuant to Bylaw C-1312

Requirements:

  1. Residential burn barrels are not permitted for use in a multi-parcel residential subdivision.
  2. Only registered owners are eligible to take out a Recreational Burning Permit. Renters must show written approval by the owner.
  3. Fire is attended by a competent person of 18 years of age or older at all times.
  4. Burn barrel shall not be located closer than ten (10) meters from a property line and from any combustible material, including, but not limited to, buildings, structures, fences, patio decks, trees, and foliage as measured from the nearest Fire Pit edge.
  5. Burn barrel can not be located less than 0.6 meters laterally from an underground utility line.
  6. Burn barrels need to be cleared of all debris, down to bare soil three meters from the barrel.
  7. Metal barrel in good condition.
  8. Provided with three evenly spaced three-inch square vents, backed with a metal screen. 
  9. Burn barrel shall be covered by a substantial screen or grate with openings not to exceed 12.5 millimetres/ 1.25 centimetres or 0.5 inches in any dimension.
  10. Burning is not permitted with winds over 15 km/hr.
  11. Only burn burnable debris, such as: 
  • straw and stubble
  • grass and weeds
  • leaves and tree prunings
  • brush and fallen trees on newly cleared land or associated with logging operations
  • wooden materials, which do not contain wood preservatives, from the construction or demolition of buildings
  • other as listed in the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.