Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality
146 placesWhat the bylaws of 146 places in British Columbia say on the same question, side by side. Each cell is a short form of a fact that is sourced, quoted and checked on the place's own page.
| Place | Backyard campfires | Burning yard waste | Permit | Fine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Mile House | Yes, up to 0.5 m x 0.5 m, not at high fire hazard | No, except farm or industrial zones with a permit | Yes, from Fire Chief; no fee stated | Notice $50 if paid in 14 days ($110 after 28 days) |
| Abbotsford | No, only in a City-provided fire pit | No in urban areas; rural only with a seasonal permit | Yes, $50 per season | Notice $500 ($450 if paid in 14 days); ticket $1,000 |
| Alert Bay | None set | None set | None set | Not confirmed |
| Anmore | Yes, with a campfire permit | No | Yes, $25 per year for 1 to 5 sites | Notice $200 ($140 if paid in 14 days); ticket $200 |
| Armstrong | Yes, up to 0.5 m high and 0.5 m wide | No (yard waste banned); other burning needs a permit | Yes, from Fire Chief; no fee stated | Ticket $250 ($200 if paid in 30 days) |
| Ashcroft | Yes, with a permit, in an approved pit | No | Yes, for campfires; no fee stated | $100 or more on conviction |
| Barriere | Yes, no permit, if under 24 inches across | Yes, no permit, in Fire Chief's set seasons | No for dry garden refuse; Fire Chief for lot clearing | Notice $300 ($250 if paid early) |
| Belcarra | Only with a burning permit (rarely issued) | Only with a Class B1 permit, Apr 1-15 and Oct 15-31 | Yes, $25 (Class B1 or C) | Notice $200 ($140 if paid in 14 days) |
| Bowen Island | Yes, no permit, up to 0.5 m x 0.5 m | No, except with a Category 2 permit (Oct 15 to Apr 15) | Yes for yard clean-up ($50); not for small campfire | No notice listed; $2,000 to $50,000 in court |
| Burnaby | No, not without a permit | Only with a Fire Chief permit | Yes, $114 | None set |
| Burns Lake | Yes, if BC Wildfire regulations are followed | Yes, no permit for small backyard burning | No for small backyard burning | Not confirmed |
| Cache Creek | Yes, no permit, up to 0.5 m x 0.5 m | Only with an outdoor fire permit | Yes for Class 2 and 3 burning; fee not stated | Not confirmed |
| Campbell River | Yes, no permit, up to 60 cm across | No in Area A; Area B only in Oct and April | Not for recreational fires; open burning $69 | Ticket $200 |
| Canal Flats | Yes, up to 0.5 m x 0.5 m, 5 m from buildings | Only Monday to Friday, 50 m from buildings | Not confirmed | Notice $100 ($75 if paid in 14 days); ticket $100 |
| Castlegar | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | The ticket schedule makes it an offence to 'Start a fire without… | Ticket $300 |
| Central Saanich | Yes, no permit, up to 0.5 m x 0.5 m | Only with a permit, Oct 15 to May 15 | Yes for yard waste fires; none for recreational fires | Not confirmed |
| Chetwynd | Yes, up to 60 cm across, in a fire pit | Must meet provincial smoke rules; permit for brush | Only in extraordinary circumstances; no fee stated | Ticket $300 |
| Chilliwack | No, except in a designated campground | Only on non-urban parcels, with a permit | Yes, $35 per season | Notice $500 ($10 less if paid in 14 days) |
| Clearwater | Yes, up to 0.5 m x 0.5 m, 5 m from property lines | Yes, Category 2 piles up to 2 m high and 3 m wide | Yes for Category 2 and 3 fires; free | Ticket $250 ($200 if paid in 30 days) |
| Coldstream | Yes, no permit, up to 0.5 m x 0.5 m | No on ordinary lots; permit on sites of 2 ha or more | Yes for land clearing; no fee in burn period | Notice $200 ($100 if paid early); ticket $200 |
| Colwood | No, except manufactured outdoor appliances | No | Not for approved appliances; otherwise prohibited | Notice $200 ($160 if paid in 14 days); ticket $200 |
| Comox | No, only propane or natural gas fire pits | Only with a permit, 2 days each in Nov and Apr | Yes, ALR farm land of 4.05 hectares or more | Notice $75 if paid in 14 days, $100 after; ticket $100 |
| Coquitlam | No | No, except ALR land with a Fire Chief permit | Yes, ALR land only; $26.20 | Notice $150 ($100 if paid in 14 days); ticket $1,000 |
| Courtenay | No, wood-burning fires not allowed | Only with a permit; City says banned year-round | Yes, but may not be available; no fee found | Ticket $100 |
| Cranbrook | Yes, in a fire pit up to 60 cm across | No (only land clearing debris, with a permit) | Only for land clearing debris; fee not stated | Ticket $150 |
| Creston | Yes, no permit, up to 0.5 m across | No; yard waste banned at all times | Yes, $15 to $250 | Notice $250 ($225 if paid in 14 days) |
| Cumberland | Yes, with a free permit | No | Yes for campfires, free; land clearing $50 | $200 ($100 if paid early) |
| Dawson Creek | Yes, no permit, in a fire pit built to bylaw | Only with a permit, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Yes for yard waste fires; $14.67 (free some dates) | Notice $150 ($125 if paid in 14 days) |
| Delta | No, open fires banned | No, except Agricultural zones with a permit | Yes, $100 | Notice $200 ($175 if paid in 14 days); ticket $150 |
| District of North Vancouver | Generally no | No, unless the Fire Chief issues a permit | Fire Chief may issue; fee in Fees bylaw | Notice $500 ($375 if paid in 14 days); ticket $500 |
| Duncan | No wood fires; gas or propane pit allowed | No | None set | Notice $150 ($125 if paid in 14 days); $500 repeat |
| Elkford | Yes, with an annual Fire Permit | No in a fire pit; other fires need a Fire Permit | Yes, from Fire Chief; no fee stated | Not confirmed |
| Enderby | No, only in an approved campground | No, unless the City issues a burning permit | Yes, $25 | Notice $100 ($50 if paid in 14 days); ticket $100 |
| Esquimalt | No, not without a Fire Chief permit | No; permits only for special purposes | Yes, no fee | Notice $100 ($75 if paid early) |
| Fernie | Yes, with a Fire Pit Permit | No in a fire pit; other fires need a Burn Permit | Yes, $30 for Fire Pit Permit | Ticket $200 |
| Fort St James | Yes, with a free burn permit | No | Yes, free | $500 |
| Fort St. John | Yes, no permit, up to 1 metre across | Only with a permit, on lots of one acre or more | Yes for open burning, $50 | Ticket $200 |
| Fruitvale | Yes, no size limit set | No | Not confirmed | Notice $250 |
| Gibsons | No | No | No for backyard burning; $25 for agricultural clearing | Notice $100 ($80 early); $200 to $250 prohibited waste |
| Gold River | Yes, if registered; no burning April 15 to October 15 | No; only land-clearing debris with a permit | Yes; backyard campfires registered instead | Not confirmed |
| Golden | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Yes; issuer and fee not found | Notice $100 ($80 if paid in 14 days) |
| Grand Forks | Yes, with a Fire Chief campfire permit | Only with a Fire Chief permit; garden waste banned | Yes, no fee found | No ticket amount listed; up to $2,000 possible |
| Granisle | Yes, no permit, up to 0.5 m high and wide (bylaw conflict) | Yes, with a Fire Chief permit | Yes, from Fire Chief; no fee stated | None set |
| Greenwood | Not confirmed | Yes, with a Permit to Burn | Yes, 1 to 7 days; no fee stated | No City ticket; $1,150 under BC Wildfire Service rules |
| Harrison Hot Springs | No, except propane or natural gas pits | No | No for backyard burning; campground $100 | $500 ($490 early, $510 late) |
| Highlands | Yes, with a free burn permit | Only with a permit | Yes, free | Notice $500 ($400 if paid in 14 days); ticket $500 |
| Hope | Yes, no permit, built to bylaw diagram | Yes, no permit, two weeks each Spring and Fall | $200 for lot-clearing burns | Notice $500 ($400 if paid in 14 days); ticket $1,000 |
| Houston | Yes, in a pit up to 90 cm across | No on lots under 1 hectare; larger lots need a permit | Yes, for lots over 1 hectare; $0 | $50 to $500 on conviction |
| Hudson's Hope | Yes, no permit, in a Fire Chief approved pit | Only with a permit (no permit for approved incinerator) | Yes, free | Not confirmed |
| Invermere | Yes, no permit, up to 0.5 m across and high | No, unless Special Burning Permit; none under 2 hectares | Special Burning Permit only; fee not stated | Ticket $100 |
| Kamloops | No campfire rule; open fires need a permit | Only with a permit, Apr and Oct, lots of 1 acre or more | Yes, $100 | $750 |
| Kaslo | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Yes; $30 for Category 3 or 4 | Ticket $1,000 |
| Kelowna | No, most wood-burning pits prohibited | Check permit eligibility and burn-day conditions before burning yard… | Property over one hectare may qualify, $20 | No ticket amount; up to $2,000 |
| Kent | Yes, with a $25 permit; not in Agassiz townsite | Yes with a permit, outside townsite; not in Close Season | Yes, annual; campfire $25 | Not confirmed |
| Keremeos | Yes, up to 0.5 m across and 0.5 m high | Only permitted materials from same land; varies | Not confirmed | $200 |
| Kimberley | Yes, by permit only | No; yard debris burning is unlawful | Yes, one-time $50 | Ticket $200 ($400 later offence) |
| Kitimat | Yes, one pit up to 1 m wide (1.5 m in some zones) | Only with a Fire Chief burn permit | No for fire pit; other burning needs a permit | Notice $250 ($200 if paid in 14 days); ticket $1,000 |
| Ladysmith | Yes, no permit, up to 0.5 m high and wide | No | No for compliant campfire; no fee stated | None set |
| Lake Country | Yes, up to 1 m across and 1 m high | Only dry prunings, with a permit, on 1 hectare or more | Yes for open burning, $20 | Notice $100 ($50 if paid in 14 days); ticket $100 |
| Lake Cowichan | Yes, no permit for cooking fires up to 4 sq ft | No | Yes, $100 | $500 without a permit |
| Langford | Yes, with a free online permit | Only with a permit, on lots of 0.5 acre or more | Campfire: free online permit | Ticket $150 |
| Langley City | No | No | Not available for ordinary backyard burning | Not confirmed |
| Lantzville | Yes, up to 0.61 m, if no fire ban | Only Oct 15 to Apr 15, if no alternative and venting is good | No permit mentioned for ordinary fires | Ticket $500 |
| Lillooet | Yes, no permit, up to 0.5 m high by 0.5 m across | Yes, with a Permit to Burn | Yes, from Fire Chief; no fee stated | Notice $250 ($125 if paid in 14 days) |
| Lions Bay | No | No | None set | Notice $100 ($80 if paid in 14 days) |
| Logan Lake | Yes, no permit, fire up to 49.5 cm wide and high | Yes, dry garden refuse in spring and fall periods | Yes, from Fire Chief; no charge | Ticket $100 to start a fire without permission |
| Lumby | Yes, no permit, in an Acceptable Fire Pit | Only with a permit; none May 1 to October 31 | Yes for Open Air Fire, $50 | $200 ($400 second offence) |
| Lytton | Not confirmed | Only with an active burning permit | Yes; no fee stated | Not confirmed |
| Mackenzie | Yes, with a Recreational Fire Permit | Only with a burning permit | Yes; no fee stated | Ticket $100 without a burn permit |
| Maple Ridge | Only in the Open to Burning area | Only with a permit, Apr 15 to May 15 and Oct 15 to Nov 15 | Yes, $75 | Notice $200 ($150 if paid in 14 days); ticket $200 |
| McBride | Yes, with a free permit | Yes, with a permit | Yes, free | No ticket; minimum $100 on conviction |
| Merritt | Only with a permit, one pile up to 0.5 m | No, with limited exceptions | Yes, $150 first year, $50 to renew | Up to $2,000 on conviction |
| Metchosin | Yes, no permit, up to 0.6 m across | Yes, Oct 1 to May 31, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. | No for small burning or campfires | Ticket $250 ($500 if paid late) |
| Midway | Yes, up to 0.5 m high and 0.5 m across, if no ban | Yes, dry garden refuse when no ban, one small pile | Conflicting: bylaw and website differ | No ticket; at least $500 on conviction |
| Mission | Yes, in a fire pit up to 1 m, six times a month | Yes, Oct to Apr, outside refuse collection area | Fire pit permit $40 one-time | Notice $250 ($175 if paid in 14 days) |
| Montrose | Yes, with a yearly permit, pit up to 0.5 m | No | Yes, $15 | No ticket; $500 in court |
| Nakusp | Yes, no permit; no size limit set | Yes, with a burning permit (not leaves or grass) | Yes, free | Notice $100 ($75 if paid in 14 days); ticket $100 |
| Nanaimo | Cooking fires only, no permit, up to 24 inches | Only with a permit, lots of 1 acre or more; Apr and Nov | Yes for yard-waste burning, no fee | $200 ($150 early, $250 late) |
| Nelson | No, except propane or natural gas appliances | No generally; permits in up to two periods a year | Yes, $10 | Notice $500 ($450 if paid in 14 days) |
| New Denver | Cooking fires only, no permit, up to four square feet | The listed permit windows are April 1 to May 15 and September 30 to… | Free, April 1 to May 15 and September 30 to November 15 | Not confirmed |
| New Westminster | No, except cooking fires and gas fire pits | No | Camp fire permits may be issued; no fee stated | Notice $200 ($150 if paid in 14 days); ticket $1,000 |
| North Cowichan | Yes, no permit, in a covered non-combustible pit | Only with a free permit, Mar 15 to Apr 15, Sep 15 to Nov 30 | Yes, free | Notice $250 ($125 if paid in 14 days); ticket $500 |
| North Saanich | Yes, with a $25 permit | Yes, with a Fire Permit, in Burning Season only | Yes, $25 | Ticket $130 ($100 if paid in 30 days) |
| North Vancouver | No | No, unless the Fire Chief issues a permit | Fire Chief only; no specific fee stated | $450 ($400 early, $500 late) |
| Northern Rockies | No, permit only in designated recreational areas | Only with a burn permit | Yes, free | Notice $200 ($180 if paid in 21 days) for household garbage |
| Oak Bay | No | No | No for backyard burning | Ticket $500 ($350 if paid in 30 days) |
| Oliver | No | No in town; agricultural waste permit on over 1/2 acre | Agricultural waste only; no fee stated | Not confirmed |
| Osoyoos | No, not without a Fire Chief Special Permit | No for leaves and grass; brush needs a Special Permit | Yes; no fee stated | Notice $200 ($200 early, $210 late); ticket $200 |
| Parksville | No, except cooking fires and outdoor fireplaces | No | None set | Notice $200 ($150 if paid in 14 days); ticket $150 |
| Peachland | Yes, with a campfire permit | Only on land of 1 hectare or more, with a permit | Yes; $20 site inspection | Notice $100 ($90 if paid in 14 days) |
| Pemberton | Not confirmed | Yard and garden waste burning is restricted to the times on the… | Yes, from the fire hall | $250 ($200 if paid in 14 days) |
| Penticton | No, except permanent fireplace approved by Fire Chief | Only with a permit, on land of 1 hectare or more | Yes, $60 | Notice $150 ($135 if paid in 14 days); ticket $150 |
| Pitt Meadows | No | No, except agricultural land with a permit | Agricultural land only, $50 | Notice $500 ($400 if paid in 14 days) |
| Port Alberni | Yes, up to 0.5 m high and 0.5 m wide | No | None set | Notice $250 ($187.50 early, $312.50 late) |
| Port Coquitlam | No | No, except A-1 Agriculture land with a permit | Agricultural land only, $50 | $500 |
| Port Edward | Cooking fires only, no permit, up to 50 cm | Yes, no permit, garden refuse grown on property | Yes, from authorized person; no fee stated | No ticket; up to $1,000 in court |
| Port Hardy | Yes, no permit, up to 60 cm across | Only with a permit, Oct 1 to Apr 30 | Yes, except recreational fires; $30 for Category B | Ticket $100 |
| Port Moody | No | No | No process or fee found | Ticket $250 |
| Pouce Coupe | Only with a burning permit | Only with a permit (none in approved screened incinerator) | Yes, $3 for 3 days; $10 yearly | $500 for burning during a fire ban |
| Powell River | No campfire rule; open fires need a permit | Only with a permit, Apr 1-30 and Nov 1-30 | Yes; no fee stated | Notice $100 ($20 discount early); ticket $200 |
| Prince George | Yes, up to 60 cm across | No | Not for recreational fires; Fire Chief may issue | Notice $300; ticket $500 |
| Prince Rupert | No campfire rule; open fires need a permit | Only with a Fire Chief permit | Yes, $20 | $50 to $10,000 on conviction |
| Princeton | Yes, up to 0.5 m x 0.5 m, if no fire ban | No | None set | $125 for burning prohibited materials |
| Qualicum Beach | Yes, no permit, March 15 to November 1 | Only with a permit, ALR or farm land of 1.0 ha or more | Garden refuse and clearing fires only, $45 | Ticket $200 |
| Quesnel | Yes, up to 0.5 m x 0.5 m, private property only | No, except under a Fire Chief permit | No for compliant campfire; no fee listed | No ticket; $100 to $10,000 in court |
| Radium Hot Springs | No campfire rule; small burns up to 0.5 m allowed | Only Monday to Friday, 50 m or more from buildings | None set | Ticket $250 |
| Revelstoke | Yes, no authorization, in a fire pit, all year | No, except FireSmart projects with written authorization | No for Special Occasion fires; no fee found | Notice $500; ticket $1,000 |
| Richmond | No | No, except qualifying agricultural land with a permit | Agricultural burning only; $29 general fire permit | Notice $200 ($150 if paid in 28 days) |
| Rossland | Yes, no permit, up to 0.5 m high and 0.5 m across | No for yard waste; permit only for limited purposes | Yes for open burning; none for campfires | Notice $500 |
| Saanich | No | No inside Urban Containment Boundary; outside Oct 16-Apr 30 | No for one pile under 1 m; $10 permit | Ticket $150 ($200 after 30 days); notice $150 |
| Salmo | Defined up to 1/2 metre; not stated as allowed | No fire of any kind in the open air; no season set | None set | $500 for burning prohibited materials |
| Salmon Arm | Yes, with an annual campfire permit | Only with a permit, Mar 15 to Apr 15 and Oct 1 to 31 | Yes, campfire $10 (annual) | Ticket $100 |
| Salt Spring Island | Yes, with a Fire Chief permit | Only with a Fire Chief permit | Yes; fee not found | No ticket amount; $1,150 for provincial fire prohibition |
| Sayward | Only with a Fire Chief permit | Only dry garden refuse, with a permit, if no alternative | Yes, $75 | Up to $2,000 on conviction |
| Sechelt | Yes, up to 1 m wide and 1 m high | No | Not confirmed | Notice $200 without permit; $300 for open fire |
| Sidney | No wood fires | No | No for backyard burning | Notice $325 ($250 if paid in 14 days); ticket $325 |
| Silverton | No local rule; provincial Category 1 up to 0.5 m | No Village burning bylaw found. Provincial Category 2 open fire:… | Not confirmed | No ticket; $1,150 for provincial fire prohibition |
| Smithers | Cooking only, up to 0.5 m high by 0.5 m wide | No generally; land clearing permits where no alternative | Land clearing only; no fee stated | Notice $300 |
| Sooke | Yes, no permit, in a pit up to 0.60 m wide | Yes, no permit, Jan to Apr and Nov to Dec | Not for yard debris; $55 for land clearing | Ticket $200 ($400 repeat) |
| Spallumcheen | Yes, up to 0.5 m high and 0.5 m wide | Untreated wood only, no permit, Nov 1 to Apr 30 | No for November 1 to April 30; no charge | Ticket $550 ($500 if paid in 14 days) |
| Sparwood | Yes, with a free permit | Only with a Fire Chief permit | Yes, free | $200 ($100 if paid in 14 days) |
| Squamish | Yes, with a permit | No | Yes, required for residential campfires | Notice $250 ($225 if paid in 14 days) |
| Summerland | Yes, no permit, for food only, up to 75 cm | Only with a Fire Permit, prunings and wood only | Yes for open burning other than campfires; no fee found | Notice $300 ($250 if paid in 14 days); ticket $500 |
| Sun Peaks | Yes, up to 0.5 m; permit unclear in bylaw | Only with a permit | Yes, free | Notice $200 without a permit |
| Surrey | No, except propane or natural gas fire pits | No, except farm properties with a permit | Yes, agricultural only; no fee | No current notice; $100 to $50,000 in court |
| Tahsis | Yes, no permit, up to 50 cm | Only with a permit, Oct 15 to Apr 14 | Yes for open burning, $30 | No ticket; Offence Act penalties |
| Telkwa | Yes, no permit, up to 0.5 m high | Brush only, with the Fire Chief's authorization | Yes; no fee listed | $212.60 |
| Terrace | Yes, no permit, one pit up to 1 m across | No generally; permits only in Agricultural zones | Yes, $100 | Ticket up to $500 |
| Tofino | Yes, up to 0.6 m, mainly in campgrounds | No | No permit or fee for campfires | Notice $300 ($240 if paid in 14 days); ticket $300 |
| Township of Langley | No, not without a burning permit | Only with a permit, on lots of 0.2 hectare or more | Yes, $30 | Notice $200 |
| Trail | No | No | Land clearing only; fee not stated | No ticket amount found |
| Tumbler Ridge | Yes, up to 1 m across | Only with a written Fire Chief permit | Yes, written permit; none for recreational fires | Ticket $100 |
| Ucluelet | Yes, up to 0.5 m high and 0.5 m wide | No | None set | Notice $250 ($187.50 if paid in 14 days) |
| Valemount | Yes, no permit, up to 60 cm by 60 cm | Only with a burning permit, brush only | Yes, $30 or $100 | Notice $150 ($120 if paid in 14 days) |
| Vancouver | No, wood-burning appliances prohibited | Only with a Fire Chief's permit | Yes, generally needs a permit | Not confirmed |
| Vanderhoof | Yes, no permit, up to 30 inches | Only with a permit | Yes, except campfire or barbecue | No amount set; Offence Act penalties |
| Vernon | Yes, up to 1 m (0.6 m in Zones 2 and 3) | No, except land clearing on 5 acres or more with a permit | Not for campfires; $75 for land clearing | Notice $200 ($175 early); ticket $400 |
| Victoria | No, not without a permit | Only with a permit | Yes, for special purposes only; no fee stated | Notice $250 ($187.50 if paid in 14 days) |
| View Royal | No | No | No for backyard burning | At least $100 on conviction |
| Warfield | Yes, with an annual permit | No | Yes, $25 a year | Not confirmed |
| Wells | None set | None set | None set | No ticket; Offence Act penalties |
| West Kelowna | Yes, up to 0.5 m across, unless ban in effect | Only with a Fire Chief permit | Yes for open burning; not small campfire | $250 |
| West Vancouver | No | No | Community events may apply | Not confirmed |
| Whistler | Yes, with a Campfire Permit | No | Yes, no fee; $100 for re-inspection | Notice $300 if paid in 14 days, otherwise $500 |
| White Rock | No | No | No for ordinary backyard burning | $150 |
| Williams Lake | No wood fires; factory-made pits allowed | No | Special-occasion permit; no fee listed | Notice $250 ($190 if paid in 14 days) |
Reading this table
- Backyard campfires: stated for 138 places, none set in 2, not confirmed for 6.
- Burning yard waste: stated for 141 places, none set in 2, not confirmed for 3.
- Permit: stated for 131 places, none set in 10, not confirmed for 5.
- Fine: stated for 128 places, none set in 3, not confirmed for 15.
Each cell is a short form of the fact on that place's own page. Open the place to see the full wording, the bylaw and section it comes from, and the official text it was matched against. None set means the bylaw that was read sets no such rule. Not confirmed means it could not be established from the official sources, for example because the bylaw is posted as a scanned image.
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