Burnaby backyard fire and burning rules

Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Burnaby?

Burnaby, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Not without a permit. Under the City of Burnaby's Fire Services Bylaw, no one may light a fire in the open air, or in a portable incinerator or outdoor fireplace, without a permit from the Fire Chief. The City's permit page lists a $114 one-time special event fire permit.

Key facts

Backyard campfires	Not without a permit. No one may light any fire in the open air, or in a portable incinerator, outdoor fireplace or other portable outdoor burner, without a permit from the Fire Chief. The bylaw excludes charcoal, natural gas or propane fires in barbecues or grills used only to cook food, and CSA or ULC approved natural gas or propane outdoor heaters, fire pits and fireplaces used as the manufacturer directs.Burnaby Fire Services Bylaw 2004 (No. 11860), consolidated, section 31, s. 31(1), (2); Fire permits (Permits & Applications), Burning Permit · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No person shall light, ignite, or start any fire in the open air or in any charcoal, natural gas or propane fires contained within Canadian Standards Association or Underwriters Laboratory Outdoor burning is not permitted in Burnaby without a permit.
Burning yard waste	Not without a permit from the Fire Chief, who issues open-burning permits after considering all circumstances and may refuse or withdraw one if burning would be hazardous or a nuisance. Permit holders may not burn construction or demolition material, rubber tires, oil, tar, asphalt, shingles, battery boxes, plastics or anything else that makes heavy smoke, and a responsible adult must stay in charge of the fire until it is out.Burnaby Fire Services Bylaw 2004 (No. 11860), consolidated, section 31, s. 31(3), (4), (7), (8) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording The Fire Chief may issue a fire permit for open burning after considering burn any construction or demolition refuse or materials or any rubber tires, shall maintain a responsible adult person at all times in charge of the fire may refuse to issue, or withdraw a fire permit at anytime
Permit	Yes. From the Fire Chief: Burnaby Fire Department Burning Permit, $114 (one-time special event fire; GST exempt). Send the application to fire@burnaby.ca or mail it to the Administration Office, 4867 Sperling Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5E 2S9. Payment by cheque only. Permits are not transferable and must be available on request.Fire permits (Permits & Applications), Burning Permit; Burnaby Fire Services Bylaw 2004 (No. 11860), consolidated, section 31, s. 31(6) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Permission may be granted by the Fire Chief for a one-time special event fire. Fees: $114 (GST Exempt) Payment can be made in the form of cheque only; Permits shall not be transferable and must be readily available upon
Fire bans	Not confirmed. The sources read do not describe a fire-ban system.
Instead of burning	Put grass clippings, weeds, plants and small branches (up to 4 inches in diameter) in the green bin, collected weekly from houses and duplexes. Extra yard waste can go to the Burnaby Eco-Centre, 4855 Still Creek Drive; residents can drop off one load per day up to 100 kg free.Food Scraps & Yard Waste, Accepted yard waste; Have extra yard waste? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording small branches (up to 4 inches diameter) collected weekly from houses and duplexes, condos, apartments and townhomes. you can drop it off for free (up to 100 kg) at the Burnaby Eco-Centre, located at 4855 Still Creek Drive.
Fine	None set. Breaking the Fire Services Bylaw is a court offence and no ticket amount is set.Read: Fire permits (Permits & Applications)
Bylaw	Burnaby Fire Services Bylaw 2004 (Bylaw No. 11860), s. 31; fees in Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 14485, Schedule A6.Burnaby Fire Services Bylaw 2004 (No. 11860), consolidated, section 31, title; Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedule A6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording BURNABY FIRE SERVICES BYLAW, 2004 SCHEDULE A6 – FIRE SERVICES BYLAW

How it works

Section 31 of the City of Burnaby's Fire Services Bylaw bans any fire in the open air, or in a portable incinerator, outdoor fireplace or other portable outdoor burner, without a permit from the Fire Chief. The Chief may refuse or withdraw a permit if burning would be hazardous or a nuisance. The City's permit page mentions permission for a one-time special event fire; the sources do not say whether routine yard-waste burning permits are issued.

Steps

Download the Burning Permit application from the Fire permits page.
Email it to fire@burnaby.ca or mail it to the Administration Office, 4867 Sperling Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5E 2S9.
Pay the $114 fee by cheque only. Permits are not transferable and must be available on request.

Good to know

Not covered by the ban: charcoal, natural gas or propane fires in barbecues or grills used only to cook food, and CSA or ULC approved natural gas or propane outdoor heaters, fire pits and fireplaces used as the manufacturer directs.
A permit holder may not burn construction or demolition material, rubber tires, oil, tar, asphalt, shingles, battery boxes, plastics or anything else that makes heavy smoke, and a responsible adult must stay in charge until the fire is out.
The bylaw sets no size rules for campfires and the sources describe no fire-ban system. Ask the Fire Department (604-294-7195) about current conditions.
Breaking the bylaw is an offence prosecuted in court; no ticket amount is set.
Instead of burning, put grass clippings, weeds, plants and small branches (up to 4 inches across) in the green bin, collected weekly from houses and duplexes. Extra yard waste can go to the Burnaby Eco-Centre, 4855 Still Creek Drive; residents can drop off one load a day up to 100 kg free.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

New Westminster · Richmond · Port Moody · Belcarra · Vancouver · Coquitlam

Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Fire permits (Permits & Applications), City of Burnaby (read 2026-11-05)
Burnaby Fire Services Bylaw 2004 (No. 11860), consolidated, section 31 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedule A6 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Food Scraps & Yard Waste, City of Burnaby (read 2026-11-05)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.