Burlington Flammable Storage Bylaw Guide

Public Safety Ontario 3 Minutes Read · published May 24, 2026 Flag of Ontario

This guide explains how businesses in Burlington, Ontario must store flammable materials, who enforces the rules, and what steps to take to comply. Municipal fire prevention and by-law teams work with provincial regulation to manage storage of flammable liquids, gases and combustible solids; contact local Fire Prevention for site-specific requirements. [1]

What rules apply

Storage of flammable materials is governed by provincial fire safety standards and local enforcement practices. The Ontario Fire Code and related provincial statutes set technical standards; Burlington Fire Prevention and By-law Enforcement apply those standards locally and respond to complaints and inspections. [3]

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement may include orders to remove or alter storage, charges under municipal by-laws or provincial offences under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, and court prosecutions. Specific monetary fines for flammable storage are not specified on the cited Burlington pages; see cited provincial regulation for statutory offence framework. [2]

  • Typical non-monetary actions: orders to remediate unsafe storage, stop-use orders, seizure of offending containers or materials.
  • Prosecution and court fines: amounts are determined under provincial offences and are not specified on the cited municipal pages.
  • Enforcer: Burlington Fire Prevention and By-law Enforcement coordinate inspections and complaints; contact details in Resources below.
If you store flammable liquids on site, document quantities and SDS sheets for inspections.

Applications & Forms

Some sites require permits, operational approvals or notifications to the Fire Chief depending on quantity, storage system and use. The city pages do not publish a single universal permit form for all flammable storage; contact Fire Prevention or By-law Enforcement to confirm whether an application or permit is required. [1]

  • If a permit is required the enforcing office will provide the application, required plans, and fee schedule or direct you to provincial forms where applicable.
  • Fees: not specified on the cited pages; request current fee schedules from the enforcing department.

Compliance checklist for businesses

  • Identify all flammable materials and keep Safety Data Sheets (SDS) on site.
  • Use approved containers and secondary containment where required.
  • Ensure storage locations meet distances, ventilation and signage rules in the Ontario Fire Code.
  • Schedule regular staff training and internal inspections and keep records for inspectors.
Keep a written inventory of flammable goods and copies of permits and SDS sheets on site.

Action steps after an inspection or order

  • Read any written order fully and note timelines and required actions.
  • Contact the issuing officer to clarify steps and documentation required to show compliance.
  • If a fee or fine is issued, follow payment or appeal instructions on the notice promptly.

FAQ

Do I always need a permit to store flammable liquids?
The need for a permit depends on quantities, container types and the intended use; the city does not publish a single universal form—contact Fire Prevention to confirm.
Who do I call to report unsafe storage?
Report unsafe storage or spills to Burlington Fire Prevention or By-law Enforcement; emergency spills require 911 or the provincial spill reporting lines as applicable.
What documents should I keep on site?
Keep Safety Data Sheets, inventory lists, training records and any permits or orders available for inspection.

How-To

  1. Identify and list all flammable materials on site, including quantities and container types.
  2. Gather and organize Safety Data Sheets for each product and make them accessible to staff and inspectors.
  3. Compare your storage arrangements to Ontario Fire Code requirements and contact Burlington Fire Prevention for clarification.[1]
  4. Implement required engineering or administrative controls (ventilation, secondary containment, signage, training).
  5. If you receive an order, follow remediation steps, document corrections and notify the issuing officer for re-inspection.

Key Takeaways

  • Provincial fire standards set technical requirements; the city enforces locally.
  • Keep SDS and inventories ready and consult Fire Prevention early for permit needs.
  • Contact Burlington Fire Prevention or By-law Enforcement for site-specific guidance.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Burlington - Fire Prevention and Safety
  2. [2] City of Burlington - By-law Enforcement
  3. [3] Ontario - Fire Code (O. Reg. 213/07)

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