You may operate a commercial or charity barbecue or smoker, with no City of St. Catharines Burn Permit required, as long as all regulations and requirements stated below are followed. This includes serving food to the public during a private, or invitation-only event in return for financial remuneration by fixed price or donation.
It is the sole responsibility of the owner/operator to ensure that all required inspections, clearances or other permits are in place, including City of St. Catharines business licences.
Regulations and requirements
You must follow the following regulations and requirements to operate a commercial or charity barbecue or smoker:
- You can only operate during the hours of 8 a.m. to midnight.
- The cooking device is constructed of a non-combustible material designed to contain any burning or smoldering material, including any ash produced.
- Any device using propane or natural gas must be designed for outdoor use and meet all applicable requirements for the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) at all times.
- The device is located no less than 3 metres away from any combustibles, including fences, vehicles and benches, unless the device is listed for clearances of less than 3 metres and a legible copy of the listing is attached to the device.
- The device is located no less than 3 metres from all building openings and intakes.
- The device may be located under a non-combustible canopy or a flame retardant canopy or tent, provided that it is intended to be used only as protection for the cooking appliance and not part of a building. No one, other than those preparing food, are permitted under this protection. This shelter shall be removed for service if it's found to be contaminated with grease or carbon which affects its flammability.
- A portable fire extinguisher, which is new or certified by a qualified service technician during the past 12 months and has a minimum rating of 2A-10BC, must be available at each cooking site. Fire extinguishers must clearly be visible, easily accessible and not stored inside a cabinet or compartment.
- Smoke from cooking must not be a nuisance to anyone.
- Any ash produced from cooking shall be removed and contained in a non-combustible receptacle with a tight-fitting lid, designed to prevent air from coming into contact with the ash, and to prevent the ash from entering the air or onto the ground. Ash receptacles shall be maintained by emptying or removing them from the site by the owner of the commercial / charity operation when necessary.
- No ash shall be disposed of in receptacles owned by the City. The device operator or owner of the commercial / charity operation shall remove all ash from City property immediately after it is produced.
- All equipment shall be arranged or positioned to prevent people, other than those operating the equipment, from coming into contact with any hot surfaces.
- The City and St. Catharines Fire and Emergency Services reserve the right to advise the TSSA of the location of any fuel-fired appliance being operated in the city; to request that an inspection of the appliance be conducted; and a satisfactory report provided. Any costs associated with the TSSA shall be the responsibility of the owner.