The Town of Georgina and Georgina Fire and Rescue Services allow residents to have fires for a variety of reasons.
The cost of a burn permit is $40.
Online applications
Online applications are available for open-air and agricultural burn permits.
The Town has an online application process for permit applications. All permits expire on Dec. 31 of the year they are issued.
If you are having any issues with the application, contact Service Georgina at 905-476-4301, ext. 3001.
Campfires
Residents can have recreational fires to roast marshmallows and hot dogs. These fires must be no larger than 2’ x 2’, and be at least 23’ away from anything that can burn as well as property lines. Make sure you read the Quick Reference Guide and Bylaw before having a fire. Permits are not required to have a recreational fire.
Open-air burn permits
Open-air burning is any fire set outside, other than cooking food on a small grill. Having campfires larger than 2’ x 2’, burning brush/branches/stumps, or burn barrel fires are examples of open air burning. These fires cannot be larger than 4’ x 4’ and must be at least 23’ away from anything that can burn as well as property lines.
You can apply for a burn permit through our online application.
Agricultural burn permits
If you are a farmer, you may qualify for an Agricultural Burn Permit. Call 905-476-2332, ext. 0 for more information.
You can apply for a burn permit through our online application.
Fees
Open-air burn permit fee: $40 for the calendar year. Processing of either permit could take up to eight business days. Holiday closures also affect processing times.
How can I pay for my permit?
Payment is accepted by credit card, in person or by cheque.
Credit card through the online application
The Town of Georgina has partnered with Stripe, a third-party service provider, to bring you the convenience of paying online. This service fee is 2.9 per cent plus 30 cents per transaction and must be paid by the applicant.
Through Service Georgina
To process your payment, visit the Civic Centre at 26557 Civic Centre Rd. Keswick, ON L4P 3G1, email Service Georgina or call 905-476-4301, ext. 3005. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Remember to activate your permit
Each time you are burning, you must call in to activate your permit, leaving your permit number and the date you are burning.
Call 905-476-2332 or 905-476-5167 (press 1).
Learn before you burn
Whether you are having a recreational campfire or open-air burn on your property, you could be invoiced/ fined if you are:
- Burning without a permit
- Burning anything other than natural wood/brush
- Burning too close to combustibles/ property boundaries and roadways
- Not following other sections of the bylaw
The Ontario Fire Code (2.4.4.4.) prohibits all open-air burning except for small confined cooking fires and other fires that have been approved by the Fire Chief.
Remember, if Georgina Fire and Rescue Services are called and no authorization has been obtained, you are liable to pay service fees for the response and/or charged under the Open-air Burning Bylaw 2016-0019. The Fees and Services Bylaw provides further information.
Regardless of authorization, the person that starts the fire is responsible for any effect that fire or smoke may have on neighbouring persons or property.
Email applications
If you have any issues with the online application, contact Service Georgina at 905-476-4301, ext. 3005.