Open Burning and Backyard Fire Rules in Windsor, LaSalle, Tecumseh & Essex County

As the weather warms up in Windsor-Essex, one of the most common questions homeowners ask is simple: can I have a fire in my backyard? The answer depends entirely on which municipality you live in. Open burning rules across the region range from outright prohibition to permit-based systems to relatively relaxed guidelines, and the differences can catch you off guard if you have recently moved or bought property in a new area.

Whether you are planning to install a backyard fire pit, enjoy a campfire on a summer evening, or dispose of yard waste, understanding your local fire bylaws is essential. The fines for getting it wrong are steep, and enforcement has been increasing in recent years. Here is a municipality-by-municipality breakdown of the rules you need to know.

City of Windsor: Permit Required, Strict Enforcement

The City of Windsor has some of the strictest open burning regulations in the region. Under By-law 113-2023, open air burning is prohibited without a valid permit from Windsor Fire & Rescue Services. That includes wood-burning fire pits and steel drums.

The permit application process requires an inspection by a Fire Prevention Officer, and the application fee is $155.00 as of February 2025. Approvals are rare. Since the permit system launched in 2023, only 2 out of 11 applications have been approved.

If you burn without a permit, the cost recovery charges are significant:

What is allowed without a permit in Windsor: barbecues, pizza ovens, and small fire pits that run on propane or natural gas. These are classified as approved cooking appliances under the Ontario Fire Code.

LaSalle, Tecumseh, Amherstburg, Lakeshore: How Surrounding Communities Compare

Step outside Windsor's municipal boundary and the rules shift considerably. Here is how the surrounding communities handle backyard fires and open burning:

LaSalle is notably more permissive than Windsor. Under By-law 2025-062, small fires in a confined device like a fire pit are allowed as long as the fire stays under one square metre, sits at least 5 metres from any structure, and only burns acceptable materials (dry seasoned wood, charcoal, purchased fire logs). Prohibited materials include plastics, treated wood, grass clippings, and household garbage.

Amherstburg requires a permit and a site inspection before you can light a recreational fire. The inspection fee is non-refundable, and clearance distances depend on whether your fire is open, surrounded, or in an enclosed unit. Properties with less than 20 metres of clearance need an enclosed device.

Kingsville regulates open air fires through By-law 57-2019. All campfires and fire pits require a permit from Kingsville Fire & Rescue. Property owners must provide at least 2 hours notice to the fire department before burning, and fires are only permitted between sunrise and sundown. The fire must sit on non-combustible material, at least 4.75 metres from both structures and property lines, with flame height and diameter capped at 1 metre. Only property owners can apply for permits; tenants need the owner to call the fire administration office on their behalf.

Leamington requires a burn permit for all open air burning under By-law 34-10, including small backyard campfires. Permits are available online and take 3 to 5 business days to process. First-time applicants need a site inspection before approval. Burning without a permit carries a minimum $125 fine, and the municipality can recover the full cost of any fire department response.

The Town of Essex is one of the more relaxed municipalities in the region. Under By-law 1399, campfires and fires in containers like chimineas, metal tubs, or fire pits are allowed without a permit, provided the fire stays under 2 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet, uses only clean dry wood or charcoal, and maintains 15 feet of clearance from property lines and 10 feet from structures. Larger fires do require a permit, and the permits are free. Cooking fires (barbecues) are exempt from all requirements.

What You Can and Cannot Burn

Regardless of which municipality you live in, the list of acceptable and prohibited burn materials is fairly consistent across Essex County:

Windsor Fire Chief Jamie Waffle has noted that firefighters frequently encounter residents burning rubbish, plastics, metals, and grass clippings. Beyond the bylaw violations, burning these materials releases toxic chemicals and creates neighbourhood air quality problems that can trigger complaints and further enforcement.

Air Quality Restrictions and Seasonal Burn Bans

Even in municipalities that allow backyard fires, your right to burn can be suspended at any time by air quality conditions. Across Essex County, multiple municipalities prohibit open burning when Environment Canada forecasts an Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) value above 7 for the Windsor-Essex region.

Tecumseh, Amherstburg, and Kingsville have all issued burn bans in response to dry conditions and poor air quality in recent years. These bans typically cover campfires, consumer fireworks, and fire chimneys, and remain in effect until conditions improve.

The Province of Ontario can also impose Restricted Fire Zones (RFZs) through the Ministry of Natural Resources, which override local bylaws entirely. If both a municipal ban and a provincial RFZ are in place, you must comply with both.

5 Tips for Homeowners Who Want Outdoor Fire Features

1. Check your specific municipal bylaw before buying a fire pit. A fire pit that is perfectly legal in LaSalle may require a permit in Amherstburg or be effectively banned in Windsor.
2. Consider propane or natural gas options. These are classified as approved appliances under the Ontario Fire Code and are generally allowed across all Windsor-Essex municipalities without a permit.
3. Measure your setbacks before you install. Most bylaws require minimum distances from structures, fences, and property lines. On smaller urban lots, meeting these requirements can be challenging.
4. Keep a water source nearby. Most bylaws require a garden hose or bucket of water at the site, and the fire must be supervised at all times.
5. Monitor air quality before lighting up. Check the AQHI for Windsor-Essex on Environment Canada's website. If it is forecast above 7, keep the fire pit dark for the evening.

Frequently Asked Questions