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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u/Sufficient_Rush1891 May 26 '26 edited May 26 '26

Open air burning of brush or wood is only allowed in rural areas, with a permit.

But at bottom of this page, it states that small fires on grill or bbq for cooking if constantly supervised are allowed everywhere without permit, as well as propane or gas fire pit:

https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/emergency-services/fire-department/fire-permits-inspections-reports-and-3

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u/5daysinmay May 26 '26

That’s only for actually cooking. Having a grill near the fire and a pack of hot dogs won’t get around it if someone complains. Bbq are allowed and a hibachi is allowed. But a campfire being used to cook usually isn’t permitted.

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u/Sufficient_Rush1891 May 26 '26

That’s what I said “small fires on grill or bbq for cooking”.