Courtenay backyard fire and burning rules

Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste?

Courtenay, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

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.Open burning, Regulations within the City of Courtenay; Fire Protective Services Bylaw No. 2556, 2008, s. 50(1), s. 53, s. 55 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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. 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
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)).Open burning, Regulations within the City of Courtenay; Fire Protective Services Bylaw No. 2556, 2008, s. 50(2), 50(3), s. 54 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Open burning is banned year-round within the City of Courtenay. scrap wood fires 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
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).Fire Protective Services Bylaw No. 2556, 2008, s. 50(1)(b); Open burning, Applying for a permit · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 To apply for a fire permit or ask questions, contact the Courtenay Fire Department.
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.Fire Protective Services Bylaw No. 2556, 2008, s. 56, s. 51(4); Open burning, Related links · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 Wildfire Management Branch Fire Prohibitions and Area Restrictions
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).Organics; Facilities and Hours, Comox Strathcona Waste Management, Waste Management Centres; Fees and Charges, Comox Strathcona Waste Management · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Organics (yard and food waste) is collected every week in Courtenay. Comox Valley Waste Management Centre (CVWMC) 3699 Bevan Road, Cumberland, BC V0R 1S0 Yard Waste \| per tonne \| $65
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).Fire Protective Services Bylaw No. 2556, 2008, Schedule C, s. 50 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording MTI FINES AND COST RECOVERY Open Air Burn without Burning $100.00 Fire crew and fire truck costs
Bylaw	Fire Protective Services Bylaw No. 2556, 2008Open burning, Regulations within the City of Courtenay · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This ban is enforced under Fire Protective Services Bylaw No. 2556.

How it works

The City of Courtenay's Open burning page 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 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

Do not light a fire until the Fire Department confirms what is allowed at your address.
If a permit is possible, contact the Courtenay Fire Department at 250-334-2513 to apply.
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

The same question in other places

Comox · Cumberland · Powell River · Campbell River · Port Alberni · Qualicum Beach

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

Sources

Open burning, City of Courtenay (read 2026-11-05)
Fire Protective Services Bylaw No. 2556, 2008 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Organics, City of Courtenay (read 2026-11-05)
Facilities and Hours, Comox Strathcona Waste Management (read 2026-11-05)
Fees and Charges, Comox Strathcona Waste Management (read 2026-11-05)
Contact us, City of Courtenay (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. How answers are checked.