--- title: Coquitlam backyard fire and burning rules question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste?" place: Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada place_path: ca/bc/coquitlam category: Bylaws, noise and complaints owner: municipal owner_body: City of Coquitlam sources_read: 2026-11-05 review: machine_checked canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/backyard-fire/" json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/backyard-fire.json" --- # Coquitlam backyard fire and burning rules **Question:** Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste? **Short answer:** No. In Coquitlam, fires of any kind in the open air are banned at all times, including campfires, fire pits and burning yard waste. The exception is a fire in a portable appliance made and used solely for cooking food (propane, natural gas or charcoal). Only Agricultural Land Reserve land can get a permit. **Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Coquitlam, https://www.coquitlam.ca) **Cost:** Burning permit (Agricultural Land Reserve land only) $26.20. Open air burning: bylaw notice $150 ($100 if paid within 14 days); municipal ticket $1,000. **How long:** Permits are issued only March 1 to May 31 and September 1 to November 30. **Where:** - Phone: Emergency (report a fire), 9-1-1 ## Key facts - **Backyard campfires:** No. Fires of any kind in the open air are banned at all times, except a fire contained in a portable appliance designed for and used solely for cooking food and fuelled by propane, natural gas or charcoal. A certified outdoor heater is not counted as an open air fire. Campfires and outdoor burning are not permitted in City parks. - Source: [Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw No. 3712, 2005 (consolidated, amended 2026), s. 8.1, 8.3(d)](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6233356) - Official wording: "any fire of any kind whatsoever and for any purpose in the open air" … "located in the open air, except where the fire is contained within a portable appliance or device that has been specifically designed and is used solely for the cooking and preparation of food and that is fueled by propane, natural gas or charcoal." … "the operation of any appliance specifically designed as an outdoor heater provided" … "that such appliance is certified by an accredited certification body recognized and" - Source: [Summer Fire Safety, Outdoor Burning, Park Events and Barbeques](https://www.coquitlam.ca/277/Summer-Fire-Safety) - Official wording: "Outdoor burning and campfires are not permitted in City parks." - Source: [Open Air Burning, General Outdoor Burning Restrictions](https://www.coquitlam.ca/261/Open-Air-Burning) - Official wording: "Coquitlam does not permit outdoor burning including burning of grass clippings, branches or other waste, as well as the use of many outdoor appliances." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Burning yard waste:** Not allowed. Burning garden refuse (grass, leaves, pruning), land-clearing material (stumps, branches) and construction waste is prohibited. The only exception is a Fire Chief permit for land in the Agricultural Land Reserve, issued only for March 1 to May 31 and September 1 to November 30. Businesses and agricultural landowners also need Metro Vancouver's open burning approval. - Source: [Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw No. 3712, 2005 (consolidated, amended 2026), s. 8.2, 8.6](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6233356) - Official wording: "garden refuse, including, without limitation, grass clippings, leaves, tree and" … "land clearing materials, including, without limitation, stumps and branches;" … "waste or remainder materials from construction sites; is prohibited." … "The Fire Chief may only issue a permit under section 8.4 where the land on which the burning will be conducted is within the Agricultural Land Reserve." … "between March 1 through May 31 and" … "from September 1 through November 30 annually." - Source: [Open Air Burning, Metro Vancouver Requirements](https://www.coquitlam.ca/261/Open-Air-Burning) - Official wording: "all industry, trades, businesses and agricultural landowners are required to apply to Metro Vancouver for an Open Burning Approval (PDF) prior to conducting an open burn." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Permit:** A burning permit from the Fire Chief is possible only for land in the Agricultural Land Reserve, in the March 1 to May 31 and September 1 to November 30 windows. On private property the applicant must be a registered owner or have written authorization from one. Fee: $26.20 per permit. The Fire Chief may add conditions and revoke it at any time. - Source: [Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw No. 3712, 2005 (consolidated, amended 2026), s. 8.4-8.8](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6233356) - Official wording: "The Fire Chief will not issue a permit pursuant to section 8.4 for private property unless a" … "registered owner of such property is the person seeking the permit or the permit applicant" … "The Fire Chief may revoke a permit issued under section 8.4 at any time and for any" … "impose any and all conditions which he or she deems necessary to provide for the protection of persons and" - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5484, 2025 (Schedule D), Schedule G, Fire/Rescue Department Fees & Charges](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6285879) - Official wording: "8.8 Burning permit - fee per permit $ 26.20" - Source: [Open Air Burning, Burning on Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) Designated Properties](https://www.coquitlam.ca/261/Open-Air-Burning) - Official wording: "Burning permits will only be issued during the periods of March 1 through May 31 and September 1 through November 30 during the year." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Fire bans:** Open burning is already banned year-round. When the fire-risk rating has been "extreme" for more than three consecutive days, the Fire Chief may impose a barbeque ban in the city, and barbeques in public places may need a permit during extreme fire danger. The Fire Chief can also close forest areas by written order. The City's Summer Fire Safety page shows the current fire-risk rating. - Source: [Summer Fire Safety, Fire-risk Rating; Outdoor Burning, Park Events and Barbeques](https://www.coquitlam.ca/277/Summer-Fire-Safety) - Official wording: "the Fire Chief may implement a barbeque ban in the city." … "keep an eye on and be aware of the local fire-risk rating" - Source: [Open Air Burning, Barbeques](https://www.coquitlam.ca/261/Open-Air-Burning) - Official wording: "During periods of extreme fire danger, the use of BBQs in public places may be restricted and a permit may be required for use." - Source: [Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw No. 3712, 2005 (consolidated, amended 2026), s. 15](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6233356) - Official wording: "the Fire Chief may, by an order in writing signed by him, declare that area or any portion thereof as a closed area" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Instead of burning:** Put yard trimmings in the Green Cart (collected weekly). For six weeks each spring and fall the City collects extra yard trimmings on your regular collection day. Coquitlam residents can also drop off yard trimmings and food waste free, year-round, at the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre (995 United Boulevard) with proof of residency. - Source: [Green Carts, What to do with Extra Yard Waste](https://www.coquitlam.ca/161/Green-Carts) - Official wording: "Seasonal Unlimited Yard Trimmings Collection - 6 weeks every spring and 6 weeks every fall the City will collect additional yard waste on your regular collection day." … "Coquitlam residents can drop off residential quantities of yard trimmings and food waste for free, year-round." … "Leaves and grass clippings" - Source: [Extra Yard Waste and Trimmings, United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre](https://www.coquitlam.ca/160/Extra-Yard-Waste-and-Trimmings) - Official wording: "Residents must show a valid driver’s license or a current utility, property tax, electrical or gas bill, to confirm proof of Coquitlam residency." - Source: [Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 4679, 2016, Schedule A](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6025031) - Official wording: "plus collection and removal of green waste on a weekly basis" - Source: [Recycling, United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre](https://www.coquitlam.ca/165/Recycling) - Official wording: "Located at 995 United Boulevard" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Fine:** Bylaw notice: $150 ($100 if paid within 14 days) for open air burning or breaking a burning permit condition. Municipal ticket: $1,000. - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3749, 2006 (consolidated July 2026), Schedule A, Fire Prevention & Life Safety Bylaw](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303017) - Official wording: "Open air burning 8.1 100 150 n/a" … "Breach of permit condition (open 8.4 100 150" - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4320, 2012 (consolidated July 2026), Schedule B-8](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303001) - Official wording: "Open air burning 8.1 1000" - Source: [Open Air Burning, General Outdoor Burning Restrictions](https://www.coquitlam.ca/261/Open-Air-Burning) - Official wording: "Failure to adhere to the open air burning restrictions is an offence and subject to a $100 fine." - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 - **Bylaw:** Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw No. 3712, 2005 (s. 8, Open Air Burning) - Source: [Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw No. 3712, 2005 (consolidated, amended 2026), s. 8](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6233356) - Official wording: "8. Open Air Burning" … "BYLAW NO. 3712, 2005" - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3749, 2006 (consolidated July 2026), Schedule A](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303017) - Official wording: "Fire Prevention & Life Safety Bylaw No. 3712, 2005" - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 ## How it works The [Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw 3712](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6233356) bans any fire of any kind, for any purpose, in the open air. That includes burning garden refuse (grass, leaves, pruning), land-clearing material (stumps, branches) and construction waste. A certified outdoor heater is not counted as an open air fire. Campfires and outdoor burning are also not permitted in City parks. ## Steps 1. Put yard trimmings in the Green Cart (collected weekly) instead of burning them; see the yard waste answer for drop-off options. 2. For cooking outdoors, use only a portable appliance designed for and used solely for cooking food, fuelled by propane, natural gas or charcoal. 3. If your land is in the Agricultural Land Reserve, ask Coquitlam Fire/Rescue (the Fire Chief) for a burning permit. You must be a registered owner or have an owner's written authorization. The Fire Chief may add conditions and revoke it at any time. ## Good to know - Businesses and agricultural landowners must also apply to Metro Vancouver for an Open Burning Approval. Metro Vancouver's ventilation index line for zone 3 is 604-436-6777. - During extreme fire danger (more than three consecutive days rated "extreme"), the Fire Chief may ban barbeques in the city, and barbeques in public places may need a permit. Check the City's Summer Fire Safety page for the current fire-risk rating. - Special fires approved in advance in writing by the Fire Chief are excluded from the ban. - Report a fire or smoke by calling 9-1-1. ## Official forms and pages - [Open Air Burning page](https://www.coquitlam.ca/261/Open-Air-Burning) - [Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw 3712, 2005 (PDF)](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6233356) - [Fire and Rescue Fees and Charges](https://www.coquitlam.ca/227/Fire-and-Rescue---Fees-and-Charges) ## Related questions - [Coquitlam yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/yard-waste.md) - [Coquitlam fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/fireworks.md) - [Coquitlam bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/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) - [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/backyard-fire.md) - [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/backyard-fire.md) - [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/backyard-fire.md) - [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/backyard-fire.md) - [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/backyard-fire.md) - [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/backyard-fire.md) ## Sources - [Open Air Burning, City of Coquitlam](https://www.coquitlam.ca/261/Open-Air-Burning) (read 2026-11-05) - [Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw No. 3712, 2005 (consolidated, amended 2026) (PDF), City of Coquitlam](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6233356) (read 2026-11-05) - [Fire and Rescue Fees and Charges, City of Coquitlam](https://www.coquitlam.ca/227/Fire-and-Rescue---Fees-and-Charges) (read 2026-11-05) - [Summer Fire Safety, City of Coquitlam](https://www.coquitlam.ca/277/Summer-Fire-Safety) (read 2026-11-05) - [Green Carts, City of Coquitlam](https://www.coquitlam.ca/161/Green-Carts) (read 2026-11-05) - [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3749, 2006 (consolidated July 2026) (PDF), City of Coquitlam](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303017) (read 2026-11-05) - [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4320, 2012 (consolidated July 2026) (PDF), City of Coquitlam](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303001) (read 2026-11-05) - [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5484, 2025 (Schedule D), City of Coquitlam](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6285879) (read 2026-11-05) - [Extra Yard Waste and Trimmings, City of Coquitlam](https://www.coquitlam.ca/160/Extra-Yard-Waste-and-Trimmings) (read 2026-11-05) - [Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 4679, 2016](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6025031) (read 2026-11-05) - [Recycling, City of Coquitlam](https://www.coquitlam.ca/165/Recycling) (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 Coquitlam. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/backyard-fire/_