Can I have a backyard fire? Do I need a burn permit?
In the County municipality of Cumberland, Nova Scotia, permit required: True; permit issuer: Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources (provincial Burning Permit); fire chief may extinguish non-compliant fires; allowed conditions: Open air fire permitted only with a valid NS DNR Burning Permit (fire >=30m from adjacent properties, authorized, attended, suppression accessible) or specified exceptions: campfires (<=75cm wide >=9m from dwellings, or <=120cm wide >=30m), recreational outdoor wood burning appliances, agricultural/training/distress fires; fines: $200-$10,000; plus $500 if a fire department is dispatched; $100 payment in lieu within 14 days. Source: Open Air Burning By-Law 21-06; Outdoor Wood Burning Appliances By-Law 06-12, verified 2026-06-05.
Open Air Burning By-Law 21-06
adopted bylaw
permit required
True
s. 5(a)
permit issuer
Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources (provincial Burning Permit); fire chief may extinguish non-compliant fires
s. 5(a); s. 6
allowed conditions
Open air fire permitted only with a valid NS DNR Burning Permit (fire >=30m from adjacent properties, authorized, attended, suppression accessible) or specified exceptions: campfires (<=75cm wide >=9m from dwellings, or <=120cm wide >=30m), recreational outdoor wood burning appliances, agricultural/training/distress fires
s. 5
fine range
$200-$10,000; plus $500 if a fire department is dispatched; $100 payment in lieu within 14 days
s. 7; s. 9; s. 8
scout note
Prohibits hazardous open air fires and prevents nuisance from open burning in densely populated areas of the Municipality of the County of Cumberland. Final reading December 22, 2021.
Outdoor wood burning appliance may be installed/operated only if not prohibited by the Land Use By-Law, located >=100m from any occupied building on other property (or with written consent), 5m clearance all directions, manufacturer instructions followed, not on a wooden deck/combustible platform
s. 5
fine range
$200-$5,000 per offence; $100 payment in lieu within 14 days
s. 8; s. 9
scout note
Regulates outdoor wood burning appliances (e.g. outdoor furnaces) in the Municipality of the County of Cumberland. Final reading November 22, 2006.