Belcarra backyard fire and burning rules
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.
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).Burning Permit form, Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 517, 2018 (PDF, consolidated), Schedule 6 Fire Prevention Fees; Burn permits notice, October 27, 2026, Village notice, Oct 27, 2026 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording(campfires, ceremonial and religious fires) Campfires, ceremonial fires & religious fires $25.00/burning period Burn permits are permitted for water access only properties which include Cosy Cove, Twin Island, and parts of Farrer Cove. |
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| 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.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 517, 2018 (PDF, consolidated), Schedule 6 Fire Prevention Fees; Burn permits notice, October 27, 2026, Village notice, Oct 27, 2026 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingLight 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 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. |
| 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).Burning Permit form, Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 517, 2018 (PDF, consolidated), Schedule 6 Fire Prevention Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingFORWARD 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 $25.00/max. 3 days Special effects or theatrical effects $150.00/event |
| 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.Fire ban public notice, July 15, 2026, Public notice, July 15, 2026 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingSasamat Fire Department – FIRE BAN IN EFFECT as of Thursday, July 16, 2026 |
| 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.Waste & Recycle Depot (WARD), WARD page; Roadside tree chipping notice 2026, 2026 chipping notice · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBin B – Organics Composting (Green Waste) Take your larger amounts to the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre at 995 United Boulevard |
| 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.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 520, 2018 (PDF, consolidated), Schedule A, Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw No. 627 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingFailure to obtain an open air fire permit $200.00 $140.00 $260.00 Burning prohibited materials $200.00 $140.00 $260.00 |
| Bylaw | Village of Belcarra Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw No. 627, 2024Burning Permit form, Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department, permit form heading · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingFire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw No. 627, 2024 |
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
- Fill in the Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department burning permit form and send it to the SVFD Fire Chief.
- 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.
- 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
The same question in other places
Port Moody · Anmore · Coquitlam · New Westminster · Burnaby · Port Coquitlam
Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Burning Permit form, Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 517, 2018 (PDF, consolidated), Village of Belcarra (read 2026-11-08)
- Burn permits notice, October 27, 2026 (PDF), Village of Belcarra (read 2026-11-08)
- Fire ban public notice, July 15, 2026, Village of Belcarra (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 520, 2018 (PDF, consolidated), Village of Belcarra (read 2026-11-08)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 256, 1997 (PDF), Village of Belcarra (read 2026-11-08)
- Waste & Recycle Depot (WARD), Village of Belcarra (read 2026-11-08)
- Roadside tree chipping notice 2026 (PDF), Village of Belcarra (read 2026-11-08)
- Recycling and Refuse Collection and Removal Regulation Bylaw No. 422, 2010 (PDF, consolidated), Village of Belcarra (read 2026-11-08)
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