--- title: Abbotsford backyard fire and burning rules question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste?" place: Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada place_path: ca/bc/abbotsford category: Bylaws, noise and complaints owner: municipal owner_body: City of Abbotsford sources_read: 2026-11-05 review: machine_checked canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/backyard-fire/" json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/backyard-fire.json" --- # Abbotsford backyard fire and burning rules **Question:** Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste? **Short answer:** Mostly no. Abbotsford never allows open burning in urban areas, and wood campfires are not allowed on private property. Rural properties may burn agricultural waste only with a $50 seasonal permit, in spring (March 1 to April 30) or fall (October 1 to November 30). **Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Abbotsford, https://www.abbotsford.ca) **Cost:** Seasonal open burning permit: $50, expires on the last day of the season and cannot be reused. A $500 bylaw notice ($450 if paid within 14 days) or $1,000 municipal ticket ($500 if paid in full by the 30th day) applies; cost-recovery charges can also apply. **Where:** - Online: Open Burning Permit page and address lookup, https://www.abbotsford.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-service/fire-permits/open-burning-permit - Online: Current burning status, https://www.abbotsford.ca/burning - Phone: Fraser Valley ventilation index line, 1-888-281-2992 ## Key facts - **Backyard campfires:** Not on private property. A campfire is allowed only in a City-provided fire pit, no bigger than 0.5 m high and wide, burning seasoned dead wood lying on the ground, watched at all times, with water on hand; never during a fire ban. Propane and natural gas heating appliances are allowed. (Sources differ: The City's Alternatives to Open Burning page says wood campfires and fire pits are not permitted anywhere in the City; Fire Service Bylaw 3710-2026 s. 85 allows campfires in City-provided fire pits (the Good Neighbour Guide says City parks). The bylaw is used. Gas or propane appliances are not addressed in the files read.) - Source: [Fire Service Bylaw, 2026 (No. 3710-2026), consolidated, s. 84, 85](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2026bylaw3710bb) - Official wording: "No person may have an open fire if the fire department or fire chief have imposed a ban on" … "A person must not light, fuel or use a campfire unless the following conditions are met:" … "the fire is started within a fire pit provided by the City and the fire pit has not been" … "closed by the City;" … "the fire burns wood or vegetation that is seasoned, dead and lying on the ground;" … "the fire is no larger than 0.5 metres in height and 0.5 metres in width;" - Source: [Alternatives to Open Burning, Open Burning Restrictions](https://www.abbotsford.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-service/fire-permits/alternatives-open-burning) - Official wording: "Campfires and Firepits using wood are not permitted anywhere in the City of Abbotsford at any time of the year." - Source: [Abbotsford Good Neighbour Guide (2021), Fire Safety: Campfires](https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2021-02/Abbotsford%20Good%20Neighbour%20Guide.pdf) - Official wording: "Campfires fueled by wood are banned in all private properties in the City of Abbotsford." … "Campfire pits are approved for use at identified City Parks." - Source: [Open Air Burning Regulations and Guidelines, Recreational fires and outdoor cooking](https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2026-02/Open%20Air%20Burning%20Regulations%20%26%20Guidelines.pdf) - Official wording: "Outdoor cooking and heating is permitted using electrical, lump" … "charcoal, briquette charcoal, propane or natural gas fueled" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Burning yard waste:** Never in urban areas. In rural areas only under a seasonal open burning permit: spring (March 1 to April 30) or fall (October 1 to November 30), unless the fire chief approves otherwise in writing. Only seasoned vegetative debris from agricultural production or processing; one pile at a time, at most 3 m wide and 2 m high (larger with a permit); at most 12 burn days a year per parcel; only when the ventilation forecast is good. - Source: [Fire Service Bylaw, 2026 (No. 3710-2026), consolidated, s. 87, 90, 91, 94, 96, 100, 101](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2026bylaw3710bb) - Official wording: "A person must obtain an open burning permit in order to carry on open burning." … "A person must not carry out open burning on a single parcel of land on more than 12 days in a calendar year." … "must only burn seasoned vegetative debris that originates from agricultural production or processing." … "A person must not carry out an open burning of a pile exceeding 3 metres in width and 2 metres in height," … "listed on the BC Government Ventilation Index," … "means the period of time from October 1 to November 30 in a year;" … "means the period of time from March 1 to April 30 in a year;" … "obtained written approval from the fire chief to carry out open burning outside of the burn" - Source: [Alternatives to Open Burning, Notes](https://www.abbotsford.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-service/fire-permits/alternatives-open-burning) - Official wording: "Open burning is never permitted in urban areas at any time of the year." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Permit:** Yes, for any open burning. Seasonal permit from Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service (the fire chief); $50 per season, expires on the last day of the season and cannot be reused. - Source: [Fire Service Bylaw, 2026 (No. 3710-2026), consolidated, s. 87, 88, 89; Fees](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2026bylaw3710bb) - Official wording: "open burning permit” means a permit issued by the fire chief authorizing open burning in" … "A person may apply for an opening burning permit for" … "(c) the spring burn season, or" - Source: [Open Burning Permit, intro](https://www.abbotsford.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-service/fire-permits/open-burning-permit) - Official wording: "A permit fee of $50 CDN is due at the time of purchase." - Source: [Alternatives to Open Burning, Open Burning Seasonal Permit Guidelines](https://www.abbotsford.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-service/fire-permits/alternatives-open-burning) - Official wording: "All open burning in rural areas requires a permit issued by the City of Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service." … "Open Burning Seasonal Permits expire at the end of the two-month season and are not reusable." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Fire bans:** No open fire is allowed when the fire department or fire chief has imposed a ban, and burning is also barred if a regional or provincial ban applies. The fire chief may extend or cancel burning periods. Check abbotsford.ca/burning and the BC Ventilation Index for the Fraser Valley (1-888-281-2992); burning needs a good forecast. - Source: [Fire Service Bylaw, 2026 (No. 3710-2026), consolidated, s. 84, 94](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2026bylaw3710bb) - Official wording: "No person may have an open fire if the fire department or fire chief have imposed a ban on" … "listed on the BC Government Ventilation Index," - Source: [Alternatives to Open Burning, Open Burning Restrictions](https://www.abbotsford.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-service/fire-permits/alternatives-open-burning) - Official wording: "The Fire Chief may extend or cancel open burning periods due to a number of different conditions (fire risk, air quality, etc.)." - Source: [Open Burning Permit, intro](https://www.abbotsford.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-service/fire-permits/open-burning-permit) - Official wording: "Before conducting any burning activities, permit holders must consult the Ventilation Index for the Fraser Valley region" … "You can also access today" - Source: [Open Air Burning Regulations and Guidelines, Open burning instructions](https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2026-02/Open%20Air%20Burning%20Regulations%20%26%20Guidelines.pdf) - Official wording: "DO NOT Burn if a Regional or Provincial ban is in effect." … "ALL burning permit applications are made online at abbotsford.ca/burning" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Instead of burning:** Yard and garden waste (small branches, leaves) goes in the green compostables cart, collected weekly for single-family homes and duplexes. Each curbside household gets six yard waste coupons a year for free drop-off at Pacific Coast Renewables Corp., 5050 Gladwin Road. Stumps and land clearing waste are accepted for a fee at Net Zero Waste and Waste Connections. - Source: [Alternatives to Open Burning](https://www.abbotsford.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-service/fire-permits/alternatives-open-burning) - Official wording: "Yard and garden waste like small branches and leaves are accepted in compostables collected through the City" … "Stumps and land clearing waste are accepted for a fee at Net Zero Waste and Waste Connections of Canada." - Source: [Yard Waste, intro](https://www.abbotsford.ca/yardwaste) - Official wording: "Each coupon is valid for one free drop off of yard waste at the Pacific Coast Renewables Corp." … "Pacific Coast Renewables Corp. is located at 5050 Gladwin Road." - Source: [Recycling, Compost and Garbage, intro](https://www.abbotsford.ca/recycling-compost-garbage) - Official wording: "The green compost cart is collected weekly" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Fine:** Bylaw notice: $500 ($50 discount if paid within 14 days of delivery, so $450). Municipal ticket: $1,000 ($500 discount if paid in full by the 30th day after service, so $500). Cost-recovery charges can also apply. - Source: [Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw, 2020 (No. 3017), s. 6(a), 6(b), 17, 18, 28](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2020bylaw3017) - Official wording: "$500 for a bylaw contravention dealt with by bylaw notice;" … "$1 000 for a bylaw contravention dealt with by municipal ticket;" … "is discounted by $50 if the penalty is paid in full within 14 days of the delivery of the bylaw notice." … "is $500 if not paid within 30 days following the date the penalty becomes due and payable." … "is discounted by $500 if the penalty is paid in full by the 30th day from the date on which the ticket is served." … "The Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2007 and Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw, 2007 are" - Source: [Alternatives to Open Burning, Open Burning Restrictions](https://www.abbotsford.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-service/fire-permits/alternatives-open-burning) - Official wording: "Open burning outside of those designated seasons will result in a fine and/or cost recovery charges." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Bylaw:** Fire Service Bylaw, 2026 (Bylaw No. 3710-2026), Part 10 Open Fires - Source: [Fire Service Bylaw, 2026 (No. 3710-2026), consolidated, title](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2026bylaw3710bb) - Official wording: "Fire Service Bylaw, 2026" … "Bylaw No. 3710-2026" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 ## How it works The [Fire Service Bylaw]() never allows open burning in urban areas. In rural areas it is allowed only under a seasonal open burning permit from Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service: spring (March 1 to April 30) or fall (October 1 to November 30), unless the fire chief approves otherwise in writing. The permit is $50 per season. Only seasoned vegetative debris from agricultural production or processing may be burned. Ordinary household yard waste is not agricultural debris, so the bylaw does not allow burning it. ## Steps 1. Check your address in the lookup on the Open Burning Permit page, since some rural properties do not qualify. 2. Get the seasonal permit. 3. Burn only when the ventilation forecast is good, and tell neighbours within 500 m 24 hours ahead. 4. Keep to one pile at a time, at most 3 m wide and 2 m high (larger with a permit), at most 12 burn days a year per parcel. ## Good to know - **Timing:** start no earlier than one hour after sunrise and end by 4 p.m. or two hours before sunset, whichever is later. Material must be no thicker than 10 cm. - **Distances:** at least 15 m from fences and structures, 30 m from a street and 100 m from a dwelling. - **Campfires:** not on private property. The bylaw allows one only in a City-provided fire pit, no bigger than 0.5 m high and wide, burning seasoned dead wood lying on the ground, watched at all times with water on hand, and never during a fire ban. The City's Alternatives page, however, says wood campfires and fire pits are not permitted anywhere in the City, so confirm with Fire Rescue first. - **Gas appliances:** propane and natural gas heating appliances are allowed. - **Bans:** no open fire is allowed during a ban by the fire department or fire chief, or if a regional or provincial ban applies. Check abbotsford.ca/burning for current status. The Fraser Valley ventilation index line is 1-888-281-2992. - **Alternatives:** yard and garden waste goes in the green compostables cart, collected weekly for single-family homes and duplexes. Each curbside household gets six yard waste coupons a year for free drop-off at Pacific Coast Renewables Corp., 5050 Gladwin Road. Stumps and land clearing waste are accepted for a fee at Net Zero Waste and Waste Connections. - **Fines:** the Fire Service Bylaw sets no amount, so the general penalty applies: a $500 bylaw notice ($450 if paid within 14 days of delivery) or a $1,000 municipal ticket ($500 if paid in full by the 30th day after service). Cost-recovery charges can also apply. ## Official forms and pages - [Open Burning Permit](https://www.abbotsford.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-service/fire-permits/open-burning-permit) - [Alternatives to Open Burning](https://www.abbotsford.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-service/fire-permits/alternatives-open-burning) - [Open Air Burning Regulations and Guidelines (PDF)](https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2026-02/Open%20Air%20Burning%20Regulations%20%26%20Guidelines.pdf) - [Fire Service Bylaw 3710-2026](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2026bylaw3710bb) ## Related questions - [Abbotsford fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/fireworks.md) - [Abbotsford bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/bylaw-fines.md) ## The same question elsewhere - [Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire.md) - [Mission](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/backyard-fire.md) - [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/backyard-fire.md) - [Chilliwack](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/backyard-fire.md) - [Langley City](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/backyard-fire.md) - [Maple Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/backyard-fire.md) - [Pitt Meadows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/backyard-fire.md) ## Sources - [Open Burning Permit, City of Abbotsford](https://www.abbotsford.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-service/fire-permits/open-burning-permit) (read 2026-11-05) - [Alternatives to Open Burning, City of Abbotsford](https://www.abbotsford.ca/public-safety/fire-rescue-service/fire-permits/alternatives-open-burning) (read 2026-11-05) - [Fire Service Bylaw, 2026 (No. 3710-2026), consolidated](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2026bylaw3710bb) (read 2026-11-05) - [Open Air Burning Regulations and Guidelines, City of Abbotsford (PDF)](https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2026-02/Open%20Air%20Burning%20Regulations%20%26%20Guidelines.pdf) (read 2026-11-05) - [Abbotsford Good Neighbour Guide (2021) (PDF)](https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2021-02/Abbotsford%20Good%20Neighbour%20Guide.pdf) (read 2026-11-05) - [Yard Waste, City of Abbotsford](https://www.abbotsford.ca/yardwaste) (read 2026-11-05) - [Recycling, Compost and Garbage, City of Abbotsford](https://www.abbotsford.ca/recycling-compost-garbage) (read 2026-11-05) - [Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw, 2020 (No. 3017)](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2020bylaw3017) (read 2026-11-05) _Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Abbotsford. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/backyard-fire/_