Air Pollution

Wood Heaters and Outdoor Cooking Facilities

Smoke from incorrectly operated wood heaters and outdoor cooking facilities can create a nuisance for neighbours, reduce local air quality, and pose health risks, especially for people with respiratory conditions.

Under the Town of Cambridge Health Local Law 2016 (Section 4.3), it is an offence for an owner or occupier of a property to permit smoke to escape in a way that causes a nuisance.

When operated correctly and using the appropriate fuel, wood heaters and outdoor cooking appliances should only produce small amounts of visible smoke when first lit. This smoke should clear shortly afterward.

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) provides helpful resources for residents on how to use these facilities properly. These include:

  • Advice on buying and selling wood heaters

  • Information about the health impacts of wood smoke

  • Alternatives for home heating and their environmental impact

  • Troubleshooting guides for common problems

Visit the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation website. 

For best practice tips:

  • Refer to DWER’s BurnWise brochure “Store right, burn bright, breathe all right” for safe wood heater operation.

  • Refer to DWER’s BurnWise brochure “Smoke from backyard barbecues, chimineas and outdoor pizza ovens” for guidance on using outdoor cooking equipment.

Having an issue with smoke nuisance?

  1. The Town encourages residents to first speak directly with the person producing the smoke, as in many cases the property owner may be unaware they are causing a nuisance. The brochures provided from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) may help raise awareness and resolve the issue informally.
  2. If you are uncomfortable addressing the matter directly, or if the issue continues despite your efforts, you can lodge a report here.

Burning off

Burning off is prohibited at all times within the Town of Cambridge. This practice is typically reserved for rural and semi-rural areas as a method of fire prevention. However, as the Town does not contain properties of this nature, burning off is not necessary and is not permitted.

The Town’s Health Local Law 2016 (Section 5.4) states: "A person must not, set fire to, or cause to be set on fire, or burn any rubbish or refuse."
Breaching this may result in a penalty.

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