{"title":"Coldstream backyard fire and burning rules","question":"Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Coldstream?","slug":"backyard-fire","place":{"path":"ca/bc/coldstream","name":"Coldstream","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"bylaws-and-complaints","name":"Bylaws, noise and complaints"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"District of Coldstream","url":"https://www.coldstream.ca"},"short_answer":"In Coldstream, small contained fires, CSA-certified outdoor fireplaces and burning appliances are allowed without a permit, if there is no ban. Open burning of land clearing debris or agricultural material needs a permit and is not allowed on ordinary lots. Burning without a permit is a $200 ticket.","aliases":["campfire coldstream","open burning permit coldstream","burn pile coldstream","fire ban coldstream"],"cost":"No fee for a permit during the burn period; a $50 non-refundable inspection fee applies outside it. A security deposit may be required (no amount in the bylaw). Burning without a permit: municipal ticket $200, or bylaw notice $200 ($100 if paid early, $300 late).","how_long":"Permit applications open October 1. Open burning is allowed November 1 to April 30, one permit per property per season.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Open Burning Permits (District page and form)","value":"https://www.coldstream.ca/open-burning"},{"type":"phone","label":"District of Coldstream Municipal Hall","value":"250-545-5304","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."},{"type":"online","label":"BC Wildfire Service, Fire Bans and Restrictions","value":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Open Burning Permits","url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/open-burning"},{"title":"Backyard Fires, District of Coldstream","url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/community-services/protective-services/fire-protection/backyard-fires"},{"title":"Fire Protection Bylaw No. 1852, 2025","url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/1948/"}],"related":[{"slug":"fireworks","title":"Coldstream fireworks rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/fireworks/"},{"slug":"yard-waste","title":"Coldstream yard waste collection and drop-off","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/yard-waste/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Coldstream bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/vernon","name":"Vernon","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lumby","name":"Lumby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-country","name":"Lake Country","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/spallumcheen","name":"Spallumcheen","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/armstrong","name":"Armstrong","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kelowna","name":"Kelowna","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/backyard-fire/"}],"topic":{"title":"Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire/"},"facts":{"campfires":{"label":"Backyard campfires","value":"Yes, without a permit: a small contained fire used for cooking or recreation, no more than 0.5 m across and 0.5 m high, burning only non-prohibited materials; a CSA-certified outdoor fireplace more than 3 m from anything combustible; or a portable campfire apparatus or burning appliance more than 1.5 m from anything combustible, burning only briquettes, charcoal, liquid or gas fuel. Never leave it unattended. No fires on streets, trails or in parks except appliances in parks.","short":"Yes, no permit, up to 0.5 m x 0.5 m","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/1948/","title":"District of Coldstream Fire Protection Bylaw No. 1852, 2025","section":"s. 14(4), 14(5), 14(6), 14(7), 14(8), 14(10), 14(12), 14(13); Schedule A","quotes":["means a contained outdoor fire used for cooking or recreation, not exceeding .5","meters in diameter and .5 meters in height.","(a) Outdoor fireplace","(b) Outdoor Burning Appliance or Portable Campfire Apparatus","(c) Small Contained Fires","(8) A person must situate an outdoor fireplace, more than 3 metres from any combustible material","(7) A person must situate an outdoor burning appliance and portable campfire apparatus more than 1.5 metres from any combustible materials"]},{"url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/community-services/protective-services/fire-protection/backyard-fires","title":"Backyard Fires, District of Coldstream","section":"Recreational Fires","quotes":["Small, backyard fires must not exceed .5 meters in diameter and .5 meters in height, and must not burn any prohibited materials, as listed in the Bylaw."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"open_burning":{"label":"Burning yard waste","value":"Not on ordinary lots. Open-air burning of land clearing debris or agricultural material needs a permit: one per property per season, November 1 to April 30, on sites of 2 ha or more. Only prunings and non-compostable garden refuse (no grass or leaves). Burn from 1 hour after sunrise to 4 p.m., on days when the venting index is over 55; 100 m from neighbours.","short":"No on ordinary lots; permit on sites of 2 ha or more","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/1948/","title":"District of Coldstream Fire Protection Bylaw No. 1852, 2025","section":"s. 14(1), 14(2)(a), 14(2)(d), 14(2)(f), 14(2)(g)","quotes":["may issue one burning permit per property, per open","burning season, for land clearing debris or agricultural materials from November 1 through to","April 30 , on sites of 2 hectares or more.","Only pruning’s and non-compostable garden refuse, may be burned outdoors, any other","on days when the smoke ventilation index is greater than 55","Open-air burning shall only take place at least one hour after sunrise and no later than 1600","hours on days when the smoke ventilation index is greater than 55, as reported by the BC Air Quality website","(n) Grass and leaves"]},{"url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/open-burning","title":"Open Burning Permits, District of Coldstream","section":"Open Burning Permits","quotes":["Burning Permits are only issued to landowners with parcels of 2 hectares (4.94 acres) or larger for land clearing debris or agricultural materials","The burning of grass, household garbage, construction waste or other prohibited materials is not permitted at any time."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"The bylaw's hours (from one hour after sunrise to 4 p.m.) differ from the older 'Conditions of Permit' form (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.); the bylaw is followed here."},"permit":{"label":"Permit","value":"Needed for open-air burning of land clearing debris or agricultural material (not small contained fires, outdoor fireplaces or appliances). Issued by the Protective Services Manager on a District form; applications open October 1. No fee during the burn period; a $50 non-refundable inspection fee applies outside it. A security deposit may be required (no amount in the Fees bylaw).","short":"Yes for land clearing; no fee in burn period","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/1948/","title":"District of Coldstream Fire Protection Bylaw No. 1852, 2025","section":"s. 14(2)(a)-(b), 14(2)(i)-(j)","quotes":["Every application for a burning permit must be made on a form approved by the Protective","Services Manager and forwarded to the Fire Chief and Bylaw Compliance department."]},{"url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/open-burning","title":"Open Burning Permits, District of Coldstream","section":"Open Burning Permits","quotes":["There is no fee to apply for permits during the designated burn period.","Open Burn Permit Applications for the season open on October 1:"]},{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/91472/","title":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/91472/","section":"Security deposit (permit form)","quotes":["may require the applicant to deposit $500 in cash or an irrevocable letter of"]},{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/1384/","title":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/1384/","section":"Fire Response Services 1.7","quotes":["Burning Permit Inspection fee – outside of Council approved $50.00","Open Burning period. (non-refundable)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fire_bans":{"label":"Fire bans","value":"The Protective Services Manager or CAO may suspend or ban all open-air burning at any time when fire conditions are hazardous, and permit holders must put fires out. The District follows provincial bans. Check the BC Wildfire Service's Fire Prohibitions and Restrictions page (gov.bc.ca) and the District before lighting any fire.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/1948/","title":"District of Coldstream Fire Protection Bylaw No. 1852, 2025","section":"s. 14(2)(a), 14(2)(n)","quotes":["The District of Coldstream follows all Provincial","burning regulations, including when Burning Bans are put into effect by the Province.","may order a suspension or total ban on open-air burning, at any time"]},{"url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/community-services/protective-services/fire-protection/backyard-fires","title":"Backyard Fires, District of Coldstream","section":"Before You Light a Fire","quotes":["Always check for current fire restrictions or prohibitions before burning. Provincial restrictions may apply in addition to District of Coldstream requirements."]},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions","title":"Fire Bans and Restrictions, BC Wildfire Service","section":"Current prohibitions and restrictions","quotes":["Even if there are no provincial open fire prohibitions in place, always check with local government authorities for any other open fire restrictions."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"alternatives":{"label":"Instead of burning","value":"Residential yard and garden waste can be dropped off free at the Greater Vernon Landfill, 120 Birnie Road (RDNO). The District also runs a free curbside Wood Chipping Initiative for woody debris, by registration, in the fall.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/open-burning","title":"Open Burning Permits, District of Coldstream","section":"Alternatives to Burning","quotes":["The Greater Vernon Diversion and Disposal Facility, located at 120 Birnie Road, offers free drop-off of yard waste to Coldstream residents."]},{"url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/wood-chipping","title":"Wood Chipping Initiative, District of Coldstream","section":"Wood Chipping Initiative","quotes":["The Wood Chipping Initiative offers residents a free curbside pickup service to help reduce wildfire risk around homes."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Burning without a permit, burning during a fire ban, burning prohibited material: municipal ticket $200; or bylaw notice $200 ($100 if paid early; $300 late). Court penalties are higher.","short":"Notice $200 ($100 if paid early); ticket $200","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/2314/","title":"District of Coldstream Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 1598, 2012","section":"Schedule 7","quotes":["18. Burning without a Permit 14(1) $200","20. Burn during a fire ban 14(2)(n)(i) $200","22. Burn prohibited material 14(2)(f) $200"]},{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/11456/","title":"District of Coldstream Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1636, 2013","section":"Appendix 6","quotes":["14(1) Burning without a Permit $200 $100 $300 No","14(2)(f) Burn prohibited material $200 $100 $300 No"]},{"url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/open-burning","title":"Open Burning Permits, District of Coldstream","section":"Consequences of Illegal Burning","quotes":["any person found to be burning illegally will be issued a ticket which carries a minimum $200 fine."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"District of Coldstream Fire Protection Bylaw No. 1852, 2025","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/1948/","title":"District of Coldstream Fire Protection Bylaw No. 1852, 2025","section":"title page","quotes":["Fire Protection Bylaw No. 1852, 2025"]},{"url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/community-services/protective-services/fire-protection/backyard-fires","title":"Backyard Fires, District of Coldstream","section":"Recreational Fires","quotes":["in accordance with the District of Coldstream Fire Protection Bylaw No. 1852, 2025."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"The 'Open Burning Permits' page still says Fire Protection Bylaw No. 1712 (2018) and the 2020 permit form; the bylaw on the District's bylaw link, the recreational fires page and both ticket bylaws name Bylaw No. 1852, 2025, which is followed."}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe District's [Fire Protection Bylaw 1852](<https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/1948/>) sets the rules.\n\n**No permit needed:**\n- a small contained fire used for cooking or recreation, no more than 0.5 m across and 0.5 m high, burning only non-prohibited materials;\n- a CSA-certified outdoor fireplace more than 3 m from anything combustible;\n- a portable campfire apparatus or burning appliance more than 1.5 m from anything combustible, burning only briquettes, charcoal, liquid or gas fuel.\n\nNever leave a fire unattended. No fires on streets, trails or in parks, except appliances in parks.\n\n**Permit needed:** open-air burning of land clearing debris or agricultural material. This is not allowed on ordinary lots. A permit is for sites of 2 ha or more, one per property per season, November 1 to April 30. Burn only prunings and non-compostable garden refuse (no grass or leaves), from 1 hour after sunrise to 4 p.m., on days when the venting index is over 55, and 100 m from neighbours.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. For open burning, apply for a permit from the Protective Services Manager on the District form. Applications open October 1.\n2. There is no fee during the burn period. A $50 non-refundable inspection fee applies outside it, and a security deposit may be required.\n3. Before lighting any fire, check the BC Wildfire Service's Fire Prohibitions and Restrictions page and the District for bans.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- The Protective Services Manager or CAO may suspend or ban all open-air burning at any time when fire conditions are hazardous, and permit holders must put fires out. The District follows provincial bans. A ban is a notice, not a standing rule, so check the current status each time.\n- Alternatives: residential yard and garden waste can be dropped off free at the Greater Vernon Landfill, 120 Birnie Road (RDNO). The District also runs a free curbside Wood Chipping Initiative for woody debris, by registration, in the fall.\n- Burning without a permit, during a ban, or burning prohibited material is a municipal ticket of $200, or a bylaw notice of $200 ($100 if paid early, $300 late). Court penalties are higher.\n- The District's Open Burning Permits page and the 2020 permit form still cite the repealed Bylaw 1712 and older hours. Bylaw 1852 is followed here; confirm with the District.","sources":[{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/1948/","title":"District of Coldstream Fire Protection Bylaw No. 1852, 2025","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/community-services/protective-services/fire-protection/backyard-fires","title":"Backyard Fires, District of Coldstream","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/open-burning","title":"Open Burning Permits, District of Coldstream","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/wood-chipping","title":"Wood Chipping Initiative, District of Coldstream","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/11456/","title":"District of Coldstream Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1636, 2013","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/2314/","title":"District of Coldstream Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 1598, 2012","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions","title":"Fire Bans and Restrictions, BC Wildfire Service","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/91472/","title":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/91472/","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/1384/","title":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/1384/","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/backyard-fire/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/backyard-fire.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/backyard-fire.json"}}