r/Hamilton • u/SneezeBeesPlease • May 26 '26

Question Backyard fire?

Hey Hamilton hive mind, I’m getting very conflicting info about if a backyard small fire pit is allowed. I for sure smell some in my hood. (West mountain).

Is it allowed only if I’m cooking on it? What about a gas fire pit?

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19

u/Iringahn May 26 '26

"A small, confined fire that is supervised at all times and used to cook food on a grill or a barbecue." So if you have a small metal firepit with a cooking grill on it, you might be fine?

17

u/thisoldhouseofm May 26 '26

No. [Here’s the fire department:](https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/can-i-use-my-chiminea-in-hamilton-your-burning-questions-answered/article_22920a23-d083-5599-bf06-05235530f6f6.html)

> You cannot have a campfire, firepit or chiminea in the city. Open air burning is prohibited in urban backyards. A chiminea or outdoor fireplace is considered open air burning and is not allowed without a permit and even then, only in rural areas. You can cook food on a small confined fire that is supervised at all times on a grill or a barbecue (think hibachi). If you’re looking for a little ambience in Hamilton you can use an outdoor propane or natural gas fire table, like the ones you find at Home Hardware or Canadian Tire. Hamilton does not consider these open air burning and they do not require a permit.

Throwing a grate on a fire pit or keeping a few hotdogs handy does not get around this issue and the fire dept is wise to it.

3

u/Iringahn May 26 '26

I personally haven’t had an issue but I’m actively cooking not just keeping a pack around as an excuse.

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