Apply for open air fire permits from the comfort of home

As of Monday, December 15, residents of eligible properties can apply for open air fire permits on Ottawa Fire Services’ new online portal, firepermits.ottawa.ca.

New look, familiar features

Through firepermits.ottawa.ca, you can apply for and manage your open air fire permits without leaving the house.

On the new portal, you can:

• Apply for annual, restricted and agricultural permits

• Manage multiple permits across multiple locations from one account

• Download a copy of the approved permit

• Receive notifications when burn bans are in effect

Setting up your account

If you are applying for an open air fire permit online, the first step is setting up your account in the new portal. Account information and permit details from the old portal are not carried over to the new portal – we’re starting fresh!

To get started, create or sign into your My ServiceOttawa account and click on “Apply for” in the “Open air fire permits” section. This will take you to the new portal, where you can finish setting up your account details. Step-by-step instructions are also available on the City’s website.

After you’ve signed into the new portal through My ServiceOttawa once, you can bookmark firepermits.ottawa.ca and log in directly with your My ServiceOttawa account on future visits.

Applying for an open air fire permit

To apply online for an open air fire permit, you will need to confirm that your property is eligible for a permit by using the address look-up tool, which is also available on our website, and pay a permit application fee.

Once the online payment for your approved permit is processed, you will be issued a permit number. You can reference your permit number or download a copy of your permit through the My Permits section. Be aware of your permit number, as you may need to share it with Ottawa Fire Services or other City employees.

You can still apply for and purchase open air fire permits in-person at various client service centres and the Rural Fire Administration Office.

Burning safely and responsibly

Always check for a fire ban before you burn. Check the City of Ottawa homepage, call Ottawa Fire Services at 613-580-2880, or subscribe to receive Open Air Fire burn ban alerts by email.

Follow the rules described in the Open Air Fire By-law. Keep your family, your property and your neighbours safe by respecting fire size, distance from buildings and fences, and other requirements.

Never leave a fire unsupervised. Always make sure your fire is fully extinguished. After you burn, ensure that the coals are cold. If you are unable to put out the fire or the flames begin to spread, call 9-1-1.

Visit our Open air fire permit page for more information about open air fires and permits, including outdoor fire safety tips.