Can I burn today in Southwold?

Permit required (Section 2.1-2.2)

Subject to that set forth below, no person shall set a Fire or allow a Fire to burn without first having obtained a Permit from the Chief Fire Official. Subject to that set forth below, no person being the owner or occupant of lands and/or premises within the Municipality shall set a Fire or allow a Fire to be set or otherwise burn on such lands unless a Permit has been issued by the Chief Fire Official in respect of that Fire.

Setback and clearance restrictions (Section 2.3)

no person shall set or maintain a Fire: ... d) at a distance of less than 4.5 metres from any building, structure, hedge, fence, vehicular roadway of any kind or nature, or overhead wiring on any property within the Municipality; e) at a distance of less than 4.5 metres from any property line; f) unless there is space clear and free from combustible materials around the perimeter of such Fire of at least nine (9) metres.

Wind/visibility/odour restriction (Section 2.4)

No fire in the open air shall be maintained when the wind is in such a direction or intensity to cause any of the following: a) The possible spread of the Fire beyond the approved burn site; b) A decrease in the visibility on any highway or roadway; or c) Any odour to such an extent or degree so as to cause discomfort to persons in the immediate area.

Cooking/heating exemption (Section 2.5)

No Permit will be required for and this by-law does not prohibit the use of a Fire for legitimate cooking or heating purposes so long as the said Fire is contained in an area not exceeding one (1) cubic metre in accordance with Section 2.6.3.4 of the Ontario Fire Code and provided further that such Fire is fuelled only by natural gas, propane, charcoal, or clean, dry wood.

Application timing and fee (Section 3.1-3.2)

At least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the date upon which it is intended to set a Fire, the person intending to set such Fire shall complete, sign, and submit an Application for a Permit... The Applicant, at the time of submission of the Application for the Permit referred to above, shall pay to the Township any fee chargeable for such Permit.

Discretionary revocation (Section 4.2)

Notwithstanding the prohibitions set forth in Section 2 of this by-law, the Chief Fire Official may revoke any or all Permits issued pursuant to this by-law at any time or otherwise refuse to issue Permits where, in the opinion of the Chief Fire Official, the ability to control any Fire is hampered by the existence of any dangerous condition at or near the proposed site of the said Fire.

Minimum fire-response charge (Section 4.6)

the person setting or in control of such Fire and/or the owner or owners of the lands and premises upon which such Fire was set, may, at the discretion and instance of the Chief Fire Official, be liable to the Township for all such costs as were reasonably incurred in the control, suppression, and extinguishment of such Fire; provided that the minimum such charge shall be in the amount of FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00).