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 for recreational fires at a residence. 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

• Compliance with Provincial Guidelines: Fires are only permitted on days and times allowed by the provincial forest fire watch.
• Permitted Fires: Only recreational fires in approved units are allowed. Open fires, such as bonfires or campfires, are prohibited.
• Approved Materials: Only clean wood or wood products may be burned. Chemically treated wood, garbage, and other refuse are strictly prohibited.
• Safety Measures: All fires must be attended at all times, and proper safety equipment, such as a water source, must be readily available.
• Location Restrictions: Fires must be set up at a safe distance from buildings, tall grass, and wooded areas. Specific clearance requirements must be followed.

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 (3m from buildings and fuel supplies, 3m from tall grass and 6m 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).
• 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
• 6 meters from wooded areas 
• 3 meters from tall grass
• Screens must be a maximum of 12 mm
• Backyard fireplaces (retail units) must be used in conjunction with manufacturer's instructions and U.L.C., W.H.I. approved usage methods

For over 25 years the City of Saint John has been a leader in implementing best practices in energy efficiency.

Housing Design Catalogue

What is the Housing Design Catalogue?

The Housing Design Catalogue is a new initiative designed to accelerate housing development across Canada. It features multiple sets of architectural plans tailored to various regions, created by local architects and engineers to meet regional building codes, planning regulations, climate conditions, construction practices, and architectural styles.

For New Brunswick, the Catalogue includes seven plan sets:

• Two accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
• Two fourplexes
• One sixplex
• Two stacked townhouses

These designs are intended to be:

• Adaptable to a range of accessibility needs
• Energy-efficient and climate-resilient
• Cost-effective through standardization
• Responsive to regional climate zones, housing needs, and construction methods
• Compliant with local codes and regulations

More information on the Housing Design Catalogue can be found here.

What are the benefits of using Housing Design Catalogue plans?

Using Housing Design Catalogue plans can significantly reduce both time and cost by eliminating the need to create custom designs from scratch. These professionally developed plans are available to property owners free of charge. However, to meet local permitting requirements, you may still need to engage a qualified professional—such as an engineer—for approvals.

Will my permit application be fast-tracked if I use Housing Design Catalogue plans?

Permit applications using Housing Design Catalogue plans will receive a prioritized review above and beyond the standard small-scale residential permit timelines. On average, small-scale residential permit issuance timelines are as follows:

• 1-week for Tier 1 - which includes Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
• 2-weeks for Tier 2 - which includes Stacked Townhouses
• 4-weeks for Tier 3 - which includes Fourplexes and Sixplexes.

Additional localized guidance coming early 2026. 

How do I know if Housing Design Catalogue plans will work on my property?

The following Housing Design Catalogue plans for the Atlantic region have been reviewed by City staff and generally comply with land use by-laws and Building Code requirements:

Atlantic – ADU 01

Atlantic – ADU 02

Atlantic – Fourplex 01

Atlantic – Fourplex 02

Atlantic – Stacked Townhouse 01

Atlantic - Stacked Townhouse 02

Atlantic - Sixplex

For more detailed guidance, please refer to the Housing Design Catalogue User Guide.

However, each lot is unique, and not every design will be suitable for every property. When selecting a design, consider the following questions:

Is the type of building permitted on my property?

Before starting your project, it’s important to confirm whether the proposed building type is allowed on your property. Key considerations include:

• Garden Suites: Also known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in the Housing Design Catalogue, garden suites have been permitted on most lots in Saint John since 2014. Exceptions may apply if zoning standards, such as setback requirements, cannot be met. Please note that Garden suites may qualify for the Missing Middle Housing Grant, which offers grants to support the construction of new units. More information can be found here.
• Multi-Unit Residential Buildings: Properties located within the Primary Development Area (i.e., those with municipal water and wastewater services) are permitted up to four residential units per lot. Properties within designated Intensification Areas are permitted to have up to six residential units, provided they meet all zoning, setback, minimum lot size, and parking requirements. These permissions have been in effect since 2024; however, properties subject to a development agreement may be governed by different rules.

If you're unsure whether your property qualifies, please contact us at 506-658-4455 for assistance.

Does the design fit on my property?

Before moving forward, it’s important to confirm that your chosen design complies with local land use by-laws and Building Code requirements. Key considerations include:

• Setback Requirements: Most land use by-laws specify minimum distances between buildings and property lines. These setbacks typically vary for front, side, and rear yards.
• Lot Coverage Limits: By-laws also regulate the maximum percentage of your lot that can be occupied by buildings. This includes both the main structure and accessory buildings such as sheds, garages, and garden suites.
• Height Restrictions: There are maximum height limits for both primary buildings and garden suites, which vary by zone.
• Separation Distances: Depending on the layout of your lot and adjacent properties, additional Building Code requirements for separation distances may apply.

If you’re unsure about any of these requirements, please contact us at 506-658-4455 for guidance.

What else does this new building need?

• Parking Requirements: Some minimum parking requirements were reduced in 2024 for affordable housing projects and developments located in the Low-Rise Residential (RL) Zone; however, your project may still require off-street parking. Be aware that some land use by-laws limit how much of the front yard can be used for parking.
• Landscaping Requirements: As of 2025, residential properties are subject to enhanced landscaping standards. Your new unit may need additional front yard landscaping to meet these updated requirements.
• On-Site Services: If your property is not connected to municipal water and wastewater systems, you’ll need to accommodate on-site services - such as a well and septic field—within your lot.

What other documents will I need to provide when applying for permits?

The specific documents you'll need depend on the type of permits required for your project. To find detailed guidance tailored to your situation, visit the Renovating, Repairs, Or Building Something New page of our website for more information.

Our City Publications page provides access to various communication and reporting tools used to inform citizens about City of Saint John services and initiatives. These include:

Newsletters 
Saint John - At Your Service is the Official Newsletter of the City of Saint John. Through a series of articles, photos and video links, each issue shares recent milestones and achievements and describes how City services impact you.

Municipal Minutes
Municipal Minutes give you an inside look at City services and how they impact our community. Taking you straight to the source, these brief videos feature topics that are timely and relevant to our citizens such as how services are delivered, new initiatives, milestone achievements, seasonal activities, special events and more.

My Saint John
Why Saint John? Why do we love it here? What makes the City special like no other? Is it our love of the water, neighbourhoods and nature? Is it because of our family and friends? Is it the cherished memories that are a part of our history? Is it the job that sets the course for our future? Or that familiarity and feeling of being home?
Watch, like, comment on, tag an out-of-town friend and share the #mysaintjohn videos that will be featured on the City of Saint John Facebook and Twitter pages.

Infographics
Infographics are another publication tool the City of Saint John uses to inform citizens. They provide a visual way to display various types of information, from describing how services are delivered to celebrating achievements. Click images to enlarge.