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The Saint John Fire Department has been operating since 1786.  Today, the department is responsible for servicing 126 square miles of the City.

Annual Statistics YTD (2024) as of October 31, 2024

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The department’s focus is on reducing loss of life, personal injury, property damage or impact on the environment through six primary services:

Fire Rescue and Suppression

The Fire Rescue and Suppression Service provides emergency mitigation and rescue response to residential, commercial, and industrial fires and/or explosions. Saint John's unique makeup of residential, old balloon frame housing stock, commercial properties, and heavy industry presents firefighters with unique response challenges—challenges our people are trained to meet. 

Technical Rescue

The Technical Rescue Service carries out emergency rescue operations to people trapped by their physical environment—typically due to water, ice, motor vehicle accident, structural collapse, confined space, or high angle. The Technical Rescue team uses specialized equipment and training, and adheres to the latest NFPA standards for technical rescue.

Fire Prevention and Investigation

The Fire Prevention Division promotes a proactive approach to fire and life safety through public education, training, inspections, and code enforcement. The Fire Investigation Service determines the cause and origin of structure or wildland fires. This assessment may form the basis of a criminal investigation by the Saint John Police, and could lead to changes in processes, or product recalls.

Medical First Response

First responders provide life-saving care to the citizens of Saint John in their time of need. Firefighters use the latest techniques and equipment to provide First Responder CPR/AED care when the Saint John Fire Department is first on the scene. The medical care model adapts to the needs of the community and has recently added Narcan administration to the scope of practice.

Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Emergency Response

The HAZMAT team's goal is to protect people, property, and the environment from the consequences of hazardous materials releases. These team members are trained to operate highly-specialized metering and monitoring equipment, in the use of specialized chemical protective clothing, hazard-risk assessment, and decontamination. Due to its high level of HAZMAT response expertise, the SJFD provides hazardous materials response services to communities throughout the southern half of the province.

Community Connect

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Home Fire Safety

• Causes of fire
• Cooking
• Heating
• Home Fire Escape - Single-Family
• Home Fire Escape - Multi-unit
• Safety Tips
• Tenant Fire Safety
• Seniors Fire Safety

Children Fire Safety 

• Learn not to Burn
• Sparky’s Fire house
• Sparky’s School House
• Stop, Drop and Roll

Book a tour at one of our fire stations for your family, school group, or community group. Meet your local firefighters and learn about fire prevention and fire safety. Tours are offered at seven stations on weekdays.

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Important information about fire station tours:

• A maximum of 25 people, including supervisors are allowed per tour.  
• Tours are approximately 30 – 45 minutes long.
• For kindergarten children, there must be one supervisor for every five (5) children. 
• For school-aged children, there must be one supervisor for every ten (10) children.  
• If the tour group must cancel or reschedule, administration must be notified 24 hours in advance. 
• Tours must be scheduled at least 21 days in advance. 
• Birthday party groups meeting the age requirement are welcome to tour a fire station, but may not hold party festivities at the station. (No cake and ice cream on site)
• If anyone in your group has special needs, please ensure you include that in your booking information.
• Transportation must be available at all times for your group in event of emergency. 
• Minimum age for station tours is four years old.

To book a tour of your local fire station, please call 506-658-2910.

Please note: All Fire Stations are operational facilities, and our emergency services work always comes first. Firefighters may be called away from the station at any time during your scheduled tour. If this happens, your tour will be cancelled, and the Fire Station must be vacated immediately. The Saint John Fire Department will not be able to reimburse you for any costs incurred.

Outdoor recreational fires are a popular activity particularly during the summer months. While the Province of New Brunswick issues burning permits and advisories according to conditions in various areas of the province, cities in New Brunswick are responsible for the regulation and enforcement of controlled outside burning within their municipal boundaries. Each city has its own by-laws regarding outdoor fires. 

The Saint John Fire Department does not issue burning permits. Burning for the purposes of clearing land, property, or the disposal of any material does not constitute a recreational fire and is prohibited.

CITY OF SAINT JOHN OUTDOOR FIRE REGULATIONS

• Property owners are permitted to burn approved materials for recreational purposes in the proper manner.
• Recreational fires can be contained in an approved retail unit and/or at site that satisfies the requirements as listed
• Approved materials consist of clean wood or wood products (no chemically treated wood or building materials.)

GUIDELINES FOR BACKYARD FIREPLACES

• Must not be used on a combustible deck or surface unless approved for such use (ULC or WHI).
• Must be used with all screens in place and closed.
• No treated wood is to be used as fuel. (e.g. pentox or creosote).
• No refuse or garbage is to be burned.
• No chemically treated wood is to be used as fuel (e.g. Presto Logs).
• Must have a 10-litre pail of water or a connected garden hose nearby while in use.
• Must maintain proper clearance from combustibles (1.5m from buildings and fuel supplies, 3m from tall grass and 15m from wooded areas).
• Some units require clearance from bottom of unit to ground. 
• Must follow manufacturer's instructions.
• Must not be left unattended while in operation and all embers extinguished when fire has been completed and not left to burn out on its own.
• Must not be overloaded (screens must be kept closed except for when charging the unit).
• Open circles of rocks and tire rims (campfires or bonfires) are not permitted under this approval, and home-made devices must incorporate a screen having an opening of not more than 12mm when being used as a recreational fireplace.

Screened:

• 1.5 meters from combustibles
• 15 meters from wooded areas 
• 3 meters from tall grass
• Screens must be a maximum of 12 mm

Not Screened:

• 150 meters from wooded areas or other property structures
• Do not burn in high wind conditions
• Backyard fireplaces (retail units) must be used in conjunction with manufacturer's instructions and U.L.C., W.H.I. approved usage methods

Through research, education and innovation, the Saint John Fire Department Training Division works to improve firefighter and public safety to the benefit of the community we serve. The Division is responsible for developing and maintaining the required knowledge and skills of operations personnel to ensure safe and effective service delivery to citizens and visitors of the City of Saint John.

Located on Grandview Avenue, the department’s training facility has more than 2,500 square feet of internal training space and consists of offices, classroom, live fire facilities, and post-fire decontamination facilities. It is a private-public partnership between the City of Saint John and Irving Oil Incorporated. The facility allows for hands-on practical training in search and rescue, ventilation, high-angle rescue, forcible entry, confined space rescue, and live fire suppression. It supports equipment inspection and testing including hose, ladder, self-contained breathing apparatus, as well the development and implementation of new operational protocols including industrial hygiene, air monitoring, and rapid intervention.

The Fire Prevention and Investigation Division is responsible for by-law enforcement. They provide inspections and issue permits for a variety of structures, facilities and assembled events to ensure they comply with applicable codes.

By-law Number LG-10: Fire Protection Fees By-law

HOW TO PAY THE FEES

Payments must be accompanied by a copy of the Notice. Specifically, the Notice Number in the upper right corner; and full name and address.

Fees may be paid in-person, by mail or phone.

Customer Service Center

15 Market Square, Main level

PO Box 1971

Saint John, NB E2L 4L1

506-658-4455

REDUCED PAYMENT

If payment is made within 45 days of issuance a flat rate of $500 applies.

Discover urban energy. And outdoor rejuvenation.

Not every getaway offers everything you could dream of. But when you visit Saint John, you can dive into in every experience that makes vacations memorable and rewarding.

Saint John is a stunningly beautiful and historic city. Step back into the past—with every modern indulgence. When you explore our narrow and lovingly preserved uptown city streets, you’ll stumble upon charming boutiques, creative bistros, cozy cafés and cocktail bars, welcoming pubs, and locally-owned galleries. From your hotel or B&B, you’re likely just a short walk from the famously historic Saint John City Market, the delightful Market Square, the stunning Imperial Theatre, and the Trinity Royal Heritage Conservation Area. This is urban adventure at its most cosmopolitan.

Of course, you’ll also be in awe of our natural wonders. Saint John is the only city on the powerful Bay of Fundy, whose tides are the highest in the world. Where the St. John River meets the Bay, you can get a feel for that power—at the Reversing Falls, the tides of the Bay of Fundy actually force the water at the mouth of the river to reverse its flow. Explore the trails of Rockwood Park, the seaside in Irving Nature Park, and the charming urban parks that dot the City’s landscape.

And the best part? Saint John isn’t far. We’re an easy drive from anywhere in the Maritimes, and a short flight from Montreal, Toronto, and Boston. Getting here is easy. And easy is what vacations should be, right?

The City of Saint John is a self-governing organization under the laws of the province of New Brunswick. That means the City has the authority, and responsibility, to govern the people of the city—via laws, by-laws, services, and taxes. In more legal language, Saint John is, like all Canadian cities, a “city corporation”. As a city corporation, Saint John is made up of various departments, and offers certain services, that are necessary to the operation of a city.

Province enters next phase of living with COVID-19 on Monday, March 14

Effective Monday, March 14, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. AST 

Masks will no longer be required at public facilities owned and operated by the City of Saint John. 

Facilities operated by third parties such as the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, TD Station, and Community Centres will provide their own direction and updates. 

Masks will not be required on Saint John Transit buses. 

All Common Council and Committee meetings will return to in-person attendance. The option to attend virtually will still be provided. 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Saint John has remained committed to the health and safety of its employees, of visitors to our workplaces and members of the public.  

While masks are no longer required in our facilities, mask usage should still be viewed as an excellent safety precaution due to the high level of community transmission. 

The City of Saint John reminds the public to be considerate and supportive of anyone who chooses to continue wearing a mask or practice any other precautions related to COVID-19. These measures are a personal choice and must be respected.

The City of Saint John encourages residents to protect their health and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community by getting vaccinated. To book your vaccination appointment, and for walk-in clinic information, visit COVID-19 vaccines (gnb.ca)

Please continue to follow the Government of New Brunswick and Government of Canada websites for the latest updates and information.

It’s no surprise that operating a city like Saint John smoothly and efficiently costs money. These are the rates and fees that you can expect to pay for permits and licenses, parking, and water.

The City of Saint John must produce an annual budget in order to set property tax rates and water rates. The annual budgets must be balanced with no projected deficit.  The City of Saint John maintains a General Operating Budget, Utility Fund Operating Budget and General Fund and Utility Fund Capital Budgets. The Operating Budget funds municipal services such as road maintenance, parks, emergency services (police and fire), and garbage collection, and many other services.

Saint John Water budget based on a user pay system.  Rate payers are charged based on the Utility’s cost of providing services to each class of rate payers.  Saint John Water currently has two classes of customers which are Potable Water Customers who receive treated drinkable water along with sewerage services and Industrial Customers who receive raw water only.

The City and Utility Fund Capital Budget goes toward maintaining and rehabilitating existing infrastructure, as well as investing in new development that will benefit residents and businesses for years to come and contribute to Saint John’s economy and quality of life.

Our historic buildings make Saint John a more interesting, dynamic, and pleasing place to live.  But they’re more than that: our heritage properties are also reminders of our past, and vessels for our City’s culture.  Community members worked hard over decades to ensure that many of our historic buildings have remained intact. This includes the largest and most cohesive collection of brick and stone Victorian buildings in Atlantic Canada.  Thanks to their efforts, future generations will see our rich built heritage, represented in the City’s architecture. 

Heritage Conservation identifies, protects, and promotes the elements of built heritage that are important to the culture of history of Saint John.  The Heritage Conservation Service works with the residents in Heritage Conservation Areas to: 

• Regulate any changes or work done to the exterior of properties, and any proposed new construction in Heritage Conservation Areas through the Heritage Conservation Areas By-Law. 
• Provide incentives like grants to encourage and assist in the conservation and development of heritage buildings. 
• Provide a process to designate Heritage Conservation Areas under the Heritage Conservation Areas By-Law and to designate Local Historic Places through the Local Historic Place Designation Policy. 
• Provide information to raise awareness of the social and economic benefits of heritage conservation to Saint John. 

What you need to know before beginning work 

If you live in a Heritage Conservation Area, all exterior work you do is subject to the Heritage Conservation Areas By-Law. 

Individual conditions for each application will be outlined in a Heritage Permit once it has been approved.  Depending on the nature of the work, approval can be granted by the Heritage Officer or by the Heritage Development Board. 

Builders and artisans from the distant past crafted our built heritage. Community members from the near past and present have ensured that many of these buildings survived. These forward-thinking individuals recognized the potential value of heritage buildings to the City’s future and their work is now evident on City streets.

The first heritage committee of Common Council, the Preservation Review Board, was formed in 1980, and the City’s first Heritage Conservation Area, Trinity Royal, was created in 1982. Today, Common Council’s Heritage Development Board, a citizen board, and the Heritage Officer oversee the service. 

The Heritage Development Board is a critical part of the City’s commitment to protect and maintain the City’s built heritage. Primary responsibilities of this board are to review applications for major alterations to existing buildings, new construction, and demolition in the City’s Heritage Conservation Areas, and to provide recommendations to Common Council on Heritage By-Law Amendments. The Board also recognizes excellence in building conservation through an annual award program. The Heritage Development Board meets the first Wednesday of the month.

To see agendas for upcoming meetings, to review minutes of past meetings, and to inquire about becoming a member of this board, please click the appropriate links. Reporting to the Board, the City’s Heritage Officer acts as an interface between property owners, the Board and other city departments and services, primarily Building Inspection and Planning. The Heritage Officer can also approve applications dealing with regular building maintenance in Heritage Conservation Areas.

There is incredible value—social, economic, and aesthetic—captured in our City’s built heritage. When we preserve our historic architecture for future generations, everyone in the city is richer for it. The City operates a Heritage Grant Program in order to allow property owners in heritage conversation areas to take pride in their heritage buildings, and to incentivize owners to maintain their properties in accordance of the Saint John Heritage Conservation Areas By-law.

These grants are not construction subsidies—they’re intended to assist owners in retaining traditional materials and details of character-defining elements and, if necessary, replace them with new components, matching the original materials and profiles.

There are three benchmark grants.

• Heritage Maintenance Grants are available to properties without a Conservation Plan in place and are also available to tenants for storefront signage.
• Heritage Conservation Grants support large conservation projects for properties that have a Conservation Plan in place. There two levels of funding provided by the Conservation Grant, depending on the nature of the project: minor funding supports maintenance work, as outlined in the Conservation Plan; major funding supports restoration work to original character-defining elements, and for major projects such as masonry or structural repair.
• Heritage Conservation Plan Grants are provided to offset the cost of retaining a design professional (architect or engineer) to prepare a Conservation Plan for designated heritage properties. A Conservation Plan provides the property owner with a phased plan to undertake required heritage/structural work. 

Other grants maybe available per the current policy.

Our content team is working to update this information. Thank you for your interest and patience.

Each year, the Heritage Development Board recognizes select heritage projects through its Heritage Awards program. Any project completed through a Heritage Permit in a given year is eligible. Awards are presented by Common Council and afford an opportunity for owners, contractors, and artisans to showcase their work in preserving the built heritage in Saint John.

For many of us, our dogs are part of the family. And as family members, it’s important that our dogs are healthy and properly cared for. It’s also important that our dog owners are respectful citizens who ensure that their dog doesn’t disturb others in the community. Saint John’s Dog Control By-law regulates how our City’s dogs are handled in relation to other residents.

The Dog Control By-law is enforced by the Saint John SPCA Animal Rescue. Call SPCA Animal Rescue to lodge a complaint or concern and to report a dog bite.  The Police Force can also be called in the event of a dog bite.

Saint John’s Dog Control By-law requires that dog owners:

• License their dog. You can buy a license at SPCA Animal Rescue, City Hall and various other outlets, such as Animal Hospitals and Pet Shops for $25 (dogs that are not spayed or neutered), or $10 (dogs that are spayed or neutered). To get a license, you must supply contact information, specifics of the dog, and proof of vaccination for distemper and rabies.
• Clean up after their dog on property other than where the dog lives.
• Control barking that might disturb the neighbourhood.
• Ensure their dog is always leashed when off its property. 
• Ensure their dog does not bite or attempt to bite a person.

Urban Development Incentives

The City of Saint John offers financial incentives to undertake development projects on the Central Peninsula. The Central Peninsula includes the Uptown, South End, and Waterloo Village. 

There are three funding opportunities that may help with your urban development project:

• Residential Density Grant: Provides base funding over five years.
• Construction Challenges Grant: Provides immediate assistance upon project completion to address the unique challenges of development on the Central Peninsula in the form of 25% of construction challenges cost up to a maximum of $50,000, or 5% of total construction costs.
• Building Permit Grant: Provides a grant for non-market housing projects equal to 80% of the cost of the building permit fee for the project to a maximum of $10,000.

Since launching, this program has generated several projects that added residential units to vacant buildings, upper floors, and infill lots. In addition, property owners are making improvements to their front façades and yards.

Beautification Grant Program

The City of Saint John offers residents and property owners in the Old North End and Douglas Avenue Urban Beautification Incentives to keep their buildings attractive. The grant offers 35% of the cost of improving exterior front facades and yards up to a maximum of $4,000, or $6,000 for corner lots.

Communities that are wonderful places to live, work, learn, and play are communities that were well planned. In this way, Community Planning plays an important role in improving the quality of life for residents. 

The Community Planning Service is responsible for preparing statutory plans, policies, and studies that guide Saint John’s growth and development. Community Planning is also responsible for processing applications for Municipal Plan Amendments, re-zonings, Section 59 Amendments, and permit applications (Development Officer) for developments and variances.

Public input is key to creating recommendations that reflect the long-term goals of the Community. Policies, initiatives and applications reviewed by the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) and Council are public hearings where citizens may contribute their opinions to decision makers.

Minutes, Agendas, and Records

On behalf of the Chief City Engineer, Infrastructure Development administers municipal infrastructure and servicing requirements for sustainable development, and approves engineering drawings, municipal servicing plans, drainage systems, and utility installations.

Responsibilities of Infrastructure Development include:

• Advising on engineering standards necessary for reliable, effective, sustainable municipal infrastructure.
• Approval of the municipal engineering component of building permits, water and sewerage permits, street occupancy permits, and street excavation permits.
• Engineering input on development applications for municipal plan amendments, zoning by-law amendments, section 39 conditions, subdivisions, and various use permits.
• Approval of new utility installations within the City of Saint John.
• Utility locates for municipal infrastructure as part of “Call Before You Dig”.
• Inspection services related to development and maintenance projects.
• Policy development, recommendations, and administration related to municipal infrastructure.
• Liaison with other levels of government, utility companies and others on infrastructure and engineering issues.

Before you begin work

• Permits and approvals must be obtained prior to working within a municipal right-of-way (City limits).
• Infrastructure locates must be obtained prior to any excavation.
• Inspections of municipal services are required prior to backfilling.
• All work within a municipal right-of-way must be in accordance with the City’s General Specifications and/or approved regulatory authorities.
• Directing stormwater to adjacent lands is prohibited.
• Consult the Excavation By-Law for more information.

Community Planning, Building Inspection, Infrastructure Development, and Heritage Conservation form the City’s One-Stop Development Shop to serve all of your development needs. The One-Stop Development Shop reviews applications and works with large developers and homeowners alike to ensure the success of your development project and the prosperity of our City.

Community Planning is responsible for preparing policy documents and implementing by-laws to guide and regulate the development in a smart and sustainable manner.

Building Inspection works with developers and consultants to ensure that buildings meet the National Building Code of Canada to ensure they are safe and comfortable to live in for years to come.

Infrastructure Development approves engineering drawings, municipal servicing plans, drainage systems, and utility installations to protect City infrastructure and ensure that citizens are not adversely affected by new development.

The Heritage Conservation Service identifies, protects, and promotes that which is important to the culture and history of Saint John. The City of Saint John is proud of its 225 years of rich heritage represented in our people and our architecture.

The safe movement of people, vehicles, and goods is critical for the day to day operation of any city—in every season. Saint John’s Winter Management Plan makes sure that streets and designated sidewalks remain safe and accessible during the winter months. 

City streets are plowed and deiced (either salt or sand) according to a priority system. 

Priority 1: Arterial streets, highway connections, emergency routes

Priority 2: Major bus routes, schools, community centres, business districts 

Priority 3: Collector streets, minor bus routes, industrial parks 

Priority 4: Local or subdivision streets

Priority 6: Rural streets, gravel with poor drainage 

Our goal is for priority 1 and 2 streets is to have passable travel lanes within 8 hours after a snowstorm, and have travel lanes pushed back and anti-icing material applied within 48 hours after a storm.

For priorities 3 and 4, our goal is to have passable travel lanes within 12 hours after a snowstorm, and have travel lanes pushed back and anti-icing material applied within 72 or 96 hours after a storm.

Priority 6 streets, our goal is to have passable travel lanes within 8 days following a storm. When particular climatic conditions create rutted and/or ice packed conditions, road will not be passable indefinitely. 

You can help! There are about 8300 catch basins across the City, and keeping them clear of debris like leaves, ice, and snow is important. If residents clear the areas around catch basins (and hydrants) near their property, it will help improve drainage from snow melt.

Parking bans

During winter months, a parking ban may be called any time it’s necessary for the safe and efficient removal of snow or ice. During a parking ban, all vehicles must be moved off the streets between midnight and 7:00 a.m. (North, East and West), or between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (South Central Peninsula). Any vehicle impeding snow removal operations will be ticketed and/or towed at the owner’s expense. Motorists must make their own arrangements for off-street parking. 

A well-designed and well-maintained park or trail is a safe, fun, and healthy way for residents to get outside and be active. The City of Saint John operates and maintains 2,200 acres of nature park space, 56 kms of general use and wilderness trails, and 30 acres of community parks for citizens and visitors to enjoy—from large open green spaces, to cozy urban gathering places, to wild, forested parks that celebrate our natural world.

Chown Field is a large green space located in the south eastern end of Saint John, known as Waterloo Village. Formerly a ball field, the park was repurposed in 2015 with the help of a grant from CN EcoConnexions. It now features a youth-sized soccer field, a dog park, a turfed seating area with park furniture, and a natural walking path created with granite curbing salvaged from the uptown area of the city. 

Chown Field was named in honour of Harold Chown, a former Director of Recreation at the City of Saint John.

Located on Saint John’s west side, Dominion Park is a popular year-round recreation destination. In summer, the stretch of beach provides ideal access to the beautiful Saint John River for swimmers and boaters. The park features a playground, basketball nets, picnic and barbecue areas, and washroom and changing room facilities. Park users can also enjoy hiking trails, rock climbing, kayaking and a treetop aerial adventure park. An updated Master Plan for this Park is underway. It is also a popular spot for ice fishing during the winter months.

Lifeguards on duty during the summer.

Development Updates: Dominion Park Community Association https://www.facebook.com/DominionParkCommunityAssociation/