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Coldstream backyard fire and burning rules

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

Coldstream, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

Key facts

Backyard campfiresYes, 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.District of Coldstream Fire Protection Bylaw No. 1852, 2025, s. 14(4), 14(5), 14(6), 14(7), 14(8), 14(10), 14(12), 14(13); Schedule A; Backyard Fires, Recreational Fires · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
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.
Burning yard wasteNot 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.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.District of Coldstream Fire Protection Bylaw No. 1852, 2025, s. 14(1), 14(2)(a), 14(2)(d), 14(2)(f), 14(2)(g); Open Burning Permits · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
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.
PermitNeeded 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).District of Coldstream Fire Protection Bylaw No. 1852, 2025, s. 14(2)(a)-(b), 14(2)(i)-(j); Open Burning Permits; https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/91472/, Security deposit (permit form); https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/1384/, Fire Response Services 1.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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.
There is no fee to apply for permits during the designated burn period.
Open Burn Permit Applications for the season open on October 1:
may require the applicant to deposit $500 in cash or an irrevocable letter of
Burning Permit Inspection fee – outside of Council approved $50.00
Open Burning period. (non-refundable)
Fire bansThe 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.District of Coldstream Fire Protection Bylaw No. 1852, 2025, s. 14(2)(a), 14(2)(n); Backyard Fires, Before You Light a Fire; Fire Bans and Restrictions, BC Wildfire Service, Current prohibitions and restrictions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
Always check for current fire restrictions or prohibitions before burning. Provincial restrictions may apply in addition to District of Coldstream requirements.
Even if there are no provincial open fire prohibitions in place, always check with local government authorities for any other open fire restrictions.
Instead of burningResidential 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.Open Burning Permits, Alternatives to Burning; Wood Chipping Initiative · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
The Greater Vernon Diversion and Disposal Facility, located at 120 Birnie Road, offers free drop-off of yard waste to Coldstream residents.
The Wood Chipping Initiative offers residents a free curbside pickup service to help reduce wildfire risk around homes.
FineBurning 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.District of Coldstream Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 1598, 2012, Schedule 7; District of Coldstream Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1636, 2013, Appendix 6; Open Burning Permits, Consequences of Illegal Burning · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
14(1) Burning without a Permit $200 $100 $300 No
14(2)(f) Burn prohibited material $200 $100 $300 No
any person found to be burning illegally will be issued a ticket which carries a minimum $200 fine.
BylawDistrict of Coldstream Fire Protection Bylaw No. 1852, 2025Sources 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.District of Coldstream Fire Protection Bylaw No. 1852, 2025, title page; Backyard Fires, Recreational Fires · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Fire Protection Bylaw No. 1852, 2025
in accordance with the District of Coldstream Fire Protection Bylaw No. 1852, 2025.

How it works

The District's Fire Protection Bylaw 1852 sets the rules.

No permit needed:

  • 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;
  • 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 a fire unattended. No fires on streets, trails or in parks, except appliances in parks.

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.

Steps

  1. For open burning, apply for a permit from the Protective Services Manager on the District form. Applications open October 1.
  2. There is no fee during the burn period. A $50 non-refundable inspection fee applies outside it, and a security deposit may be required.
  3. Before lighting any fire, check the BC Wildfire Service's Fire Prohibitions and Restrictions page and the District for bans.

Good to know

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Vernon · Lumby · Lake Country · Spallumcheen · Armstrong · Kelowna

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

Sources

  1. District of Coldstream Fire Protection Bylaw No. 1852, 2025 (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Backyard Fires, District of Coldstream (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Open Burning Permits, District of Coldstream (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Wood Chipping Initiative, District of Coldstream (read 2026-11-06)
  5. District of Coldstream Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1636, 2013 (read 2026-11-06)
  6. District of Coldstream Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 1598, 2012 (read 2026-11-06)
  7. Fire Bans and Restrictions, BC Wildfire Service (read 2026-11-06)
  8. https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/91472/ (read 2026-11-06)
  9. https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/1384/ (read 2026-11-06)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.