---
title: Chilliwack backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Chilliwack?"
place: Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/chilliwack
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Chilliwack
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/backyard-fire.json"
---

# Chilliwack backyard fire and burning rules

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

**Short answer:** In the City of Chilliwack, wood-burning fire pits and other wood-burning appliances are not allowed at any time of year. Burning yard waste is allowed only on certain agricultural and rural properties, in March 1 to April 30 and October 1 to November 30, with a $35 permit. Propane and natural gas fire tables are allowed year-round.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Chilliwack, https://www.chilliwack.com)  
**Cost:** $35 general burning permit per burning season (one two-month period). Refunds are not given if there are not enough good ventilation days.  
**How long:** Each permit is valid for a single season only. Spring 2026 was March 1 to April 30; fall 2026 is October 1 to November 30.  
**Where:**
- Online: Open Burning permit (apply online at mychilliwack.com), https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=306
- In person: Building/Land Development counter, City Hall (permits), 8550 Young Road, Chilliwack, BC V2P 8A4
- Phone: Chilliwack Fire Department (questions and complaints), 604-792-8713 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After hours, 604-215-4842.)

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Wood-burning fire pits and other free-standing wood-burning appliances are not allowed at any time of year. Campfires are exempt from the bylaw only in a designated campground (fire up to 75 cm across and 75 cm high in a fire pit), and the Fire Chief can restrict or ban them. Propane or natural gas fire tables and gas outdoor fireplaces or heaters are allowed year-round.
  - Source: [Open Burning, Information on Campfires](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=306)
  - Official wording: "any free-standing appliance or fire pit that burns wood is not permitted to be used in Chilliwack at any time of the year" … "These appliances are permitted to be used year-round"
  - Source: [Open Burning Bylaw 2021, No. 5038, s. 3, 28, 29](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=1781)
  - Official wording: "a fire not exceeding 75cm in diameter and 75cm in height, contained within a fire pit and located on real property designated as a campground" … "This Bylaw does not apply to a campfire in a designated campground within the City of Chilliwack" … "approved gas fuelled outdoor fireplaces or heaters"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05
- **Burning yard waste:** Only on parcels not designated Residential, Institutional, Commercial or Industrial in the Zoning Bylaw (the City page says agricultural and rural properties), with a permit. Only seasoned vegetative debris from the same parcel, in two seasons (March 1 to April 30 and October 1 to November 30), between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., only when the ventilation index is good and winds are 25 km/h or less. One pile at a time, no larger than 2 m high and 3 m across, with setbacks of 15 m from fences, hedges, buildings and power lines, 30 m from highways and streams, 100 m from neighbouring buildings and 500 m from schools, care facilities and hospitals. Land clearing waste, stumps, construction waste and other listed materials may not be burned.
  - Source: [Open Burning Bylaw 2021, No. 5038, s. 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16-19, 21](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=1781)
  - Official wording: "No person shall set out, start or kindle open burning on any parcel of land designated as" … "“Residential”, “Institutional”, “Commercial” or “Industrial”" … "only burn seasoned vegetative debris that originates from the parcel of land on which it is to be burned" … "exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in diameter" … "land clearing waste;" … "between the hours of 5:00 pm and 7:00 am daily" … "during winds exceeding 25 kilometres per hour" … "Within 500 metres of the nearest property line of"
  - Source: [Open Burning, Updated Open Burning Bylaw](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=306)
  - Official wording: "Burning is only permitted on agricultural and rural properties." … "Land clearing burning is prohibited."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05
- **Permit:** Yes. A burning permit is required for each burning season and costs $35 per season (a single two-month period). Apply online at www.mychilliwack.com or at the Building/Land Development counter at City Hall; refunds are not given if there are not enough good ventilation days.
  - Source: [Open Burning Bylaw 2021, No. 5038, s. 4, 5; Schedule A](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=1781)
  - Official wording: "unless the person holds a valid burning permit" … "1. General Burning Permit: $35.00" … "valid for a single two-"
  - Source: [Open Burning, Applying for Burning Permits](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=306)
  - Official wording: "Please visit www.mychilliwack.com or the Building/Land Development counter at City Hall to obtain your burning permit." … "refunds will not be issued for burning permits"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05
- **Fire bans:** The Fire Chief may cancel or suspend burning permits, or add conditions, when burning conditions are hazardous, when an air quality advisory or bulletin is issued, or in a public health emergency; such an order takes effect once advertised on the City website for 24 hours. Check the City Open Burning page (ventilation index and winds, 'Is burning permitted today?'). The page also points to BC Wildfire Service Fire Prohibitions and Restrictions (campfires and open burning). Campground campfires can also be restricted by the Fire Chief.
  - Source: [Open Burning Bylaw 2021, No. 5038, s. 26, 27, 29](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=1781)
  - Official wording: "the Fire Chief may, at any time, make an" … "Order cancelling or suspending all or any permits" … "shall become effective when it has been advertised on the City’s website" … "for 24 hours"
  - Source: [Open Burning, Is burning permitted today?](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=306)
  - Official wording: "Burning is permitted today." … "The current venting index is" … "The BC Wildfire Service also provide information related to open burning:" … "Fire Prohibitions and Restrictions (campfires and open burning)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05
- **Instead of burning:** The City suggests chipping or grinding material for on-site use, composting it, using weekly curbside compostable waste collection, or taking accepted material to the Parr Road Green Depot.
  - Source: [Open Burning, Open Burning page, alternatives](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=306)
  - Official wording: "Chip/grind the material for on-site use." … "Compost the material." … "Use curbside compostable waste collection." … "Drop off accepted material at Parr Road Green Depot."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05
- **Fine:** Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4573, Schedule A: burning without a valid permit $500 and burning in a prohibited season $500 (also $500 if the ventilation index is not good); burning between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. $250; burning more than one pile or during high winds $250. Each is $10 less if paid early (within 14 days) and $10 more if paid late.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4573 (PDF, consolidated April 21, 2026), Schedule A, Open Burning Bylaw 5038](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=2436)
  - Official wording: "Burning Without Valid Permit" … "Burning in Prohibited Seasons" … "Burning Between 5:00pm and 7:00am" … "Burning During High Winds"
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4573 (PDF, consolidated April 21, 2026), s. 6](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=2436)
  - Official wording: "is the Early Payment Penalty set out in Column A2 of" … "is the Late Payment Penalty set out in Column A3 of"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05
- **Bylaw:** Open Burning Bylaw 2021, No. 5038
  - Source: [Open Burning Bylaw 2021, No. 5038, s. 1](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=1781)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as “Open Burning Bylaw 2021, No. 5038”."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-05

## How it works

Wood-burning fire pits and other free-standing appliances that burn wood are not permitted in Chilliwack at any time of year. Campfires are exempt from the bylaw only in a designated campground (a fire up to 75 cm across and 75 cm high in a fire pit), and the Fire Chief can restrict them. Propane or natural gas fire tables, outdoor fireplaces and heaters are allowed year-round.

The [Open Burning Bylaw 2021, No. 5038](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=1781) bans open burning on parcels designated Residential, Institutional, Commercial or Industrial. Elsewhere you need a permit, and only seasoned vegetative debris from the same parcel may be burned. Land clearing waste, stumps and construction waste may not be burned.

## Steps

1. Check that your property qualifies. The online application uses your address to decide.
2. Get a $35 burning permit at www.mychilliwack.com or the Building/Land Development counter at City Hall. A permit covers one season.
3. Burn only in a season (March 1 to April 30 or October 1 to November 30), on a day when the ventilation index is good and winds are 25 km/h or less. Check "Is burning permitted today?" on the City's Open Burning page.
4. Burn between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., with an adult (over 18) attending.

## Good to know

- One pile at a time, no bigger than 2 m high and 3 m across.
- Setbacks: 15 m from fences, hedges, buildings and power lines; 30 m from highways and streams; 100 m from neighbouring buildings; 500 m from schools, care facilities and hospitals.
- The Fire Chief can cancel or suspend permits when conditions are hazardous or an air quality advisory is issued. The order takes effect once posted on the City website for 24 hours. The City page also points to BC Wildfire Service fire prohibitions, which can apply too.
- Tickets under the [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4573](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=2436): $500 for burning without a permit or in a prohibited season; $250 for burning between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., more than one pile, or in high winds. Each is $10 less if paid within 14 days and $10 more if paid late.
- Instead of burning, the City suggests chipping, composting, green cart collection, or the Parr Road Green Depot.
- Report violations to the Fire Department. Call 9-1-1 for a fire emergency.

## Official forms and pages

- [Open Burning](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=306)
- [Open Burning Bylaw 2021, No. 5038 (PDF)](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=1781)

## Related questions

- [Chilliwack fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/fireworks.md)
- [Chilliwack yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/yard-waste.md)
- [Chilliwack bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/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)
- [Harrison Hot Springs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/backyard-fire.md)
- [Kent](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/backyard-fire.md)
- [Abbotsford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/backyard-fire.md)
- [Mission](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/backyard-fire.md)
- [Hope](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/backyard-fire.md)
- [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Open Burning, City of Chilliwack](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=306) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Open Burning Bylaw 2021, No. 5038 (PDF)](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=1781) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4573 (PDF, consolidated April 21, 2026)](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=2436) (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 Chilliwack. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/backyard-fire/_