---
title: Belcarra backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Belcarra?"
place: Belcarra, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/belcarra
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: Village of Belcarra
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/backyard-fire.json"
---

# Belcarra backyard fire and burning rules

**Question:** Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Belcarra?

**Short answer:** In Belcarra, open air fires need a burning permit from the Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department. The Village says burn permits are only issued for water-access-only properties. The bylaw notice for burning without a permit is $200. Check the Village's public notices for fire bans.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Village of Belcarra, https://belcarra.ca)  
**Cost:** Permit fees: Class B1 $25 (up to 3 days); Class C (campfires) $25 per burning period; Class B2 (special or theatrical effects) $150 per event. Bylaw notice for no permit: $200.  
**How long:** Permits for light clean-up fires are granted for April 1-15 and October 15-31 each year.  
**Where:**
- In person: Municipal Hall, 4084 Bedwell Bay Road, Belcarra, BC V3H 4P8 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed statutory holidays).)
- Phone: Village Office, 604-937-4100
- Email: Village Office, belcarra@belcarra.ca

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Open air fires need a burning permit from the Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department; Class C covers campfires, ceremonial and religious fires. The Village says burn permits are only issued for water-access-only properties (Cosy Cove, Twin Island, parts of Farrer Cove).
  - Source: [Burning Permit form, Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2025/04/Burning-Permit-SVFD-2024-fillable.pdf)
  - Official wording: "(campfires, ceremonial and religious fires)"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 517, 2018 (PDF, consolidated), Schedule 6 Fire Prevention Fees](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2026/07/Bylaw-517-2018-Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Campfires, ceremonial fires & religious fires $25.00/burning period"
  - Source: [Burn permits notice, October 27, 2026, Village notice, Oct 27, 2026](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2026/10/2026-10-27-Burn-Permits.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Burn permits are permitted for water access only properties which include Cosy Cove, Twin Island, and parts of Farrer Cove."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Burning yard waste:** Light clean-up fires (under 1 m high, up to 3 consecutive days in a week) are permitted only with a Class B1 permit, for properties with water access only. Permits are granted for April 1-15 and October 15-31 each year and signed off by the Fire Chief.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 517, 2018 (PDF, consolidated), Schedule 6 Fire Prevention Fees](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2026/07/Bylaw-517-2018-Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Light clean-up fires for properties with water access only" … "fires less than 1 metre in height and issued for no more than 3 consecutive days in any one-week period, during the open burning season"
  - Source: [Burn permits notice, October 27, 2026, Village notice, Oct 27, 2026](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2026/10/2026-10-27-Burn-Permits.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Burn permits for water access only properties are granted for the specific periods of April 1-15 and October 15-31 of each year and are signed off by the Fire Chief."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Permit:** Yes. Apply with the Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department burning permit form (send to the SVFD Fire Chief). Fees: Class B1 $25 (up to 3 days), Class C $25 per burning period, Class B2 (special or theatrical effects) $150 per event. Some fires need Metro Vancouver air quality approval first (604-436-6777).
  - Source: [Burning Permit form, Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2025/04/Burning-Permit-SVFD-2024-fillable.pdf)
  - Official wording: "FORWARD COMPLETED FORM TO THE SVFD FIRE CHIEF" … "PRIOR TO IGNITION OBTAIN APPROVAL FROM THE METRO VANCOUVER 24-HOUR ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION AND ENFORCEMENT DIRECTORY FOR AIR QUALITY, PHONE: (604) 436-6777"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 517, 2018 (PDF, consolidated), Schedule 6 Fire Prevention Fees](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2026/07/Bylaw-517-2018-Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "$25.00/max. 3 days" … "Special effects or theatrical effects $150.00/event"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fire bans:** The Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department declares fire bans and the Village posts them as public notices on belcarra.ca; check the Public Notices page.
  - Source: [Fire ban public notice, July 15, 2026, Public notice, July 15, 2026](https://belcarra.ca/2026-07-15-sasamat-fire-department-fire-ban-in-effect/)
  - Official wording: "Sasamat Fire Department – FIRE BAN IN EFFECT as of Thursday, July 16, 2026"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Instead of burning:** Take yard trimmings and green waste to the organics bin (Bin B) at the Village Waste & Recycle Depot, or use the once-a-year roadside tree chipping; larger amounts go to the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre, 995 United Boulevard.
  - Source: [Waste & Recycle Depot (WARD), WARD page](https://belcarra.ca/services/waste-recycle/)
  - Official wording: "Bin B – Organics Composting (Green Waste)"
  - Source: [Roadside tree chipping notice 2026, 2026 chipping notice](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2026/03/2026-04-Tree-Chipping.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Take your larger amounts to the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre at 995 United Boulevard"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: failure to obtain an open air fire permit (s. 22.1) or burning prohibited materials (s. 22.8) is $200, or $140 if paid within 14 days, or $260 if paid more than 28 days after receiving the notice.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 520, 2018 (PDF, consolidated), Schedule A, Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw No. 627](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/09/Bylaw-520-2018-Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-Bylaw-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Failure to obtain an open air fire permit $200.00 $140.00 $260.00" … "Burning prohibited materials $200.00 $140.00 $260.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Village of Belcarra Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw No. 627, 2024
  - Source: [Burning Permit form, Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department, permit form heading](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2025/04/Burning-Permit-SVFD-2024-fillable.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw No. 627, 2024"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

Fire protection is by the Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department. Open air fires need a burning permit; Class C covers campfires, ceremonial and religious fires. Light clean-up fires (under 1 m high, up to 3 consecutive days in a week) need a Class B1 permit. The Village's October 27, 2026 notice says burn permits are only issued for water-access-only properties (Cosy Cove, Twin Island and parts of Farrer Cove). Permits for clean-up fires are granted for April 1-15 and October 15-31 each year and are signed off by the Fire Chief. The Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw No. 627, 2024 could not be read, so check it with the Village for other rules such as fire size.

## Steps

1. Fill in the [Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department burning permit form](<https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2025/04/Burning-Permit-SVFD-2024-fillable.pdf>) and send it to the SVFD Fire Chief.
2. Pay the fee: Class B1 is $25 for up to 3 days, Class C is $25 per burning period, and Class B2 (special or theatrical effects) is $150 per event.
3. Some fires need Metro Vancouver air quality approval first (604-436-6777).

## Good to know

- Fire bans are declared by the Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department and posted as public notices on belcarra.ca. Check the Public Notices page before you burn.
- No page we read says burning is allowed on other properties. The Recycling and Refuse Bylaw No. 422 says green waste must be taken outside the municipality, except for backyard composting or other means the Village provides.
- Instead of burning, take yard trimmings to the organics bin (Bin B) at the Village Waste & Recycle Depot, or use the once-a-year roadside tree chipping. Larger amounts go to the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre, 995 United Boulevard.
- A bylaw notice for failing to get an open air fire permit, or for burning prohibited materials, is $200; it is $140 if paid within 14 days and $260 if paid more than 28 days after receiving the notice.
- Questions: Village Office, 604-937-4100.

## Official forms and pages

- [Burning Permit form, Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department (PDF)](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2025/04/Burning-Permit-SVFD-2024-fillable.pdf)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 517, 2018 (PDF, consolidated), Village of Belcarra](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2026/07/Bylaw-517-2018-Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-Consolidated.pdf)
- [Burn permits notice, October 27, 2026 (PDF), Village of Belcarra](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2026/10/2026-10-27-Burn-Permits.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Belcarra yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/yard-waste.md)
- [Belcarra bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/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)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/backyard-fire.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/backyard-fire.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/backyard-fire.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/backyard-fire.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/backyard-fire.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Burning Permit form, Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department (PDF)](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2025/04/Burning-Permit-SVFD-2024-fillable.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 517, 2018 (PDF, consolidated), Village of Belcarra](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2026/07/Bylaw-517-2018-Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-Consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Burn permits notice, October 27, 2026 (PDF), Village of Belcarra](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2026/10/2026-10-27-Burn-Permits.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Fire ban public notice, July 15, 2026, Village of Belcarra](https://belcarra.ca/2026-07-15-sasamat-fire-department-fire-ban-in-effect/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 520, 2018 (PDF, consolidated), Village of Belcarra](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2024/09/Bylaw-520-2018-Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-Bylaw-Consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 256, 1997 (PDF), Village of Belcarra](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2019/05/vob-bylaw-256_municipal_ticketing.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Waste & Recycle Depot (WARD), Village of Belcarra](https://belcarra.ca/services/waste-recycle/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Roadside tree chipping notice 2026 (PDF), Village of Belcarra](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2026/03/2026-04-Tree-Chipping.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Recycling and Refuse Collection and Removal Regulation Bylaw No. 422, 2010 (PDF, consolidated), Village of Belcarra](https://belcarra.ca/assets/media/2020/01/Bylaw-422-Village-of-Belcarra-Recycling-and-Refuse-Collection-and-Removal-Regulation-Bylaw-Consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)

_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 Village of Belcarra. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/backyard-fire/_