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

# Courtenay backyard fire and burning rules

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

**Short answer:** Probably not. The City of Courtenay's Open burning page says open burning is banned year-round in the City, including wood-burning outdoor fires. Fire Protective Services Bylaw 2556 allows burning only under a Burning Permit from the Fire Chief, so a permit may not be available. Confirm with the Fire Department first.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Courtenay, https://www.courtenay.ca)  
**Cost:** No permit fee was found in the Fire bylaw or the City's fees bylaw.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Courtenay Fire Department, 250-334-2513 (For emergencies call 9-1-1)
- Email: Courtenay Fire Department, fire@courtenay.ca

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** The City says wood-burning outdoor fires are not allowed at any time. The bylaw says no open fire without a Burning Permit approved by the Fire Chief; the Fire Chief may issue campfire permits only for areas designated and approved by the Fire Chief. Gas, propane and briquette cooking or heating appliances are allowed. (Sources differ: The Open burning page says open burning is banned year-round in the City; the bylaw allows burning only under a permit. The bylaw is followed. No fire pit size is set. The page's Category 1/2/3 fire rules apply to the separate Courtenay Fire Protection District, not the City.)
  - Source: [Open burning, Regulations within the City of Courtenay](https://www.courtenay.ca/services/safety-and-emergencies/fire-department/open-burning)
  - Official wording: "Wood-burning outdoor fires are not allowed at any time." … "However, outdoor cooking or heating appliances that use natural gas, propane or briquettes are permitted."
  - Source: [Fire Protective Services Bylaw No. 2556, 2008, s. 50(1), s. 53, s. 55](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/fire-protective-services-bylaw-no-2556-2008)
  - Official wording: "no person shall ignite any Open Fire or cause or permit any Open Fire to be ignited, or to burn in the open air:" … "may issue a Burning Permit for burning wood for campfires in the open air, provided that such burning shall only be carried out in areas designated and approved by the Fire Chief." … "gas fired (propane or natural gas) appliances or charcoal briquettes heating or cooking appliances are allowed all year round without a Burning"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Burning yard waste:** Not allowed without a Burning Permit, and the City says burning is banned year-round. Burning land-clearing slash is prohibited, and open fires are prohibited in commercial, industrial and comprehensive development zones. The bylaw permits orchard, berry and vineyard pruning from A1 land (daylight, up to 15 days) and, at the Fire Chief's discretion, campfires. (Sources differ: Web page and bylaw differ on whether any permit is possible (see campfires). Burning trade waste, tires, plastics etc. is barred even under a permit (s. 51(2)).)
  - Source: [Open burning, Regulations within the City of Courtenay](https://www.courtenay.ca/services/safety-and-emergencies/fire-department/open-burning)
  - Official wording: "Open burning is banned year-round within the City of Courtenay." … "scrap wood fires"
  - Source: [Fire Protective Services Bylaw No. 2556, 2008, s. 50(2), 50(3), s. 54](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/fire-protective-services-bylaw-no-2556-2008)
  - Official wording: "Burning of land clearing slash within the City is prohibited." … "Open Fires are prohibited in any area of the City zoned as Commercial, Industrial," … "to burn orchard, berry, and vineyard pruning generated on site on properties zoned A1" … "No permit under this section shall be issued for a period of time exceeding fifteen (15) days." … "Agricultural is permitted, provided that a Burning Permit is obtained. No permit under" … "Burning Permit for burning wood for campfires in the open air, provided that such"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit:** Under Bylaw 2556 an open fire needs a Burning Permit approved by the Fire Chief; contact the Courtenay Fire Department to apply. The City Open burning page, however, says open burning is banned year-round, so a permit may not be available. No fee found. (Sources differ: No permit fee for a Burning Permit found in the Fire Protective Services Bylaw or the Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1673 (searched "burn", "fire permit"). Permits may carry conditions on location, dates and times, size and materials (s. 51).)
  - Source: [Fire Protective Services Bylaw No. 2556, 2008, s. 50(1)(b)](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/fire-protective-services-bylaw-no-2556-2008)
  - Official wording: "except if the owner of the property where the Open Fire is intended to occur first obtains a Burning Permit in the form as set out in Schedule “E”" … "occur first obtains a Burning Permit in the form as set out in Schedule" … "which shall not become valid until approved by the"
  - Source: [Open burning, Applying for a permit](https://www.courtenay.ca/services/safety-and-emergencies/fire-department/open-burning)
  - Official wording: "To apply for a fire permit or ask questions, contact the Courtenay Fire Department."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fire bans:** The Fire Chief or a designated Officer may order a total ban on burning in the City and may suspend or cancel permits in hazardous conditions. The City page links to the BC Wildfire Service prohibitions list.
  - Source: [Fire Protective Services Bylaw No. 2556, 2008, s. 56, s. 51(4)](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/fire-protective-services-bylaw-no-2556-2008)
  - Official wording: "may order a total ban on burning within the geographical boundaries the City" … "cancel or suspend until such time as is specified in the order, all or any permits"
  - Source: [Open burning, Related links](https://www.courtenay.ca/services/safety-and-emergencies/fire-department/open-burning)
  - Official wording: "Wildfire Management Branch Fire Prohibitions and Area Restrictions"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Instead of burning:** Put yard waste in the green organics cart (collected every week), or take it to the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre, 3699 Bevan Road, Cumberland ($65 per tonne).
  - Source: [Organics](https://www.courtenay.ca/solid-waste/organics)
  - Official wording: "Organics (yard and food waste) is collected every week in Courtenay."
  - Source: [Facilities and Hours, Comox Strathcona Waste Management, Waste Management Centres](https://www.cswm.ca/Hours)
  - Official wording: "Comox Valley Waste Management Centre (CVWMC) 3699 Bevan Road, Cumberland, BC V0R 1S0"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges, Comox Strathcona Waste Management](https://www.cswm.ca/fees)
  - Official wording: "Yard Waste | per tonne | $65"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Municipal ticket: $100 for an open air burn without a Burning Permit. If the Fire Department puts out a fire, the owner can be charged fire crew and truck costs (cost recovery).
  - Source: [Fire Protective Services Bylaw No. 2556, 2008, Schedule C, s. 50](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/fire-protective-services-bylaw-no-2556-2008)
  - Official wording: "MTI FINES AND COST RECOVERY" … "Open Air Burn without Burning $100.00" … "Fire crew and fire truck costs"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Fire Protective Services Bylaw No. 2556, 2008
  - Source: [Open burning, Regulations within the City of Courtenay](https://www.courtenay.ca/services/safety-and-emergencies/fire-department/open-burning)
  - Official wording: "This ban is enforced under Fire Protective Services Bylaw No. 2556."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Courtenay's [Open burning page](https://www.courtenay.ca/services/safety-and-emergencies/fire-department/open-burning) says open burning is banned year-round in the City, and that wood-burning outdoor fires are not allowed at any time. The [Fire Protective Services Bylaw 2556](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/fire-protective-services-bylaw-no-2556-2008) says something different: no open fire without a Burning Permit approved by the Fire Chief. So a permit may not be available. Call the Fire Department before lighting anything. Gas, propane and briquette cooking or heating appliances are allowed.

## Steps

1. Do not light a fire until the Fire Department confirms what is allowed at your address.
2. If a permit is possible, contact the Courtenay Fire Department at 250-334-2513 to apply.
3. For yard waste, use the green organics cart (collected every week) or take it to the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre, 3699 Bevan Road, Cumberland ($65 per tonne).

## Good to know

- The bylaw permits burning of orchard, berry and vineyard pruning from A1 land (daylight, up to 15 days) and, at the Fire Chief's discretion, campfires in areas the Chief approves. It prohibits burning land-clearing slash, and open fires in commercial, industrial and comprehensive development zones.
- Burning trade waste, tires, plastics and similar material is barred even under a permit.
- The Fire Chief or an officer may order a total burning ban and may suspend or cancel permits in hazardous conditions. The City page links to the BC Wildfire Service prohibitions list.
- A municipal ticket for an open air burn without a Burning Permit is $100. If the Fire Department puts out a fire, the owner can be charged $400 per truck and crew per hour (minimum one hour).

## Official forms and pages

- [Open burning, City of Courtenay](https://www.courtenay.ca/services/safety-and-emergencies/fire-department/open-burning)
- [Fire Protective Services Bylaw 2556 (PDF)](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/fire-protective-services-bylaw-no-2556-2008)

## Related questions

- [Courtenay yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/yard-waste.md)
- [Courtenay fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/fireworks.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire.md)
- [Comox](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/backyard-fire.md)
- [Cumberland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/backyard-fire.md)
- [Powell River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/backyard-fire.md)
- [Campbell River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/backyard-fire.md)
- [Port Alberni](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/backyard-fire.md)
- [Qualicum Beach](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Open burning, City of Courtenay](https://www.courtenay.ca/services/safety-and-emergencies/fire-department/open-burning) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fire Protective Services Bylaw No. 2556, 2008 (PDF)](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/fire-protective-services-bylaw-no-2556-2008) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Organics, City of Courtenay](https://www.courtenay.ca/solid-waste/organics) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Facilities and Hours, Comox Strathcona Waste Management](https://www.cswm.ca/Hours) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges, Comox Strathcona Waste Management](https://www.cswm.ca/fees) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Contact us, City of Courtenay](https://www.courtenay.ca/contact-us) (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 Courtenay. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/backyard-fire/_