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

# Delta backyard fire and burning rules

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

**Short answer:** No. In the City of Delta, open fires with solid fuel, including campfires and fire pits, are banned. Charcoal, natural gas or propane barbecues and CSA/ULC-approved gas fire pits and tables are allowed. Burning yard waste needs a Fire Chief permit and is limited to Agricultural-zoned areas. A permit costs $100.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Delta, https://www.delta.ca)  
**Cost:** Permit $100 (agricultural/land clearing or camp fire). Fine $150 municipal ticket or $200 bylaw notice.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Delta Fire and Emergency Services (administration), 604-946-8541
- Email: Delta Fire and Emergency Services, fire@delta.ca
- Phone: Report a fire, 9-1-1
- Phone: Delta Police non-emergency (report unauthorized fires), 604-946-4411

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Open fires with solid fuel, including campfires and fire pits or containers, are banned in Delta. The bylaw allows charcoal, natural gas or propane barbecues for cooking, and CSA/ULC-approved natural gas or propane fire pits and fire tables used as directed. A Fire Chief camp-fire permit is possible only in designated areas. (Sources differ: The City's fire page says only agricultural and ceremonial fires may be permitted. The bylaw (s. 5.7) also lets the Fire Chief permit camp fires in designated areas ($100 permit). The bylaw governs.)
  - Source: [Fire Safety and Prevention, Outdoor Burning](https://www.delta.ca/services/public-safety/fire-prevention)
  - Official wording: "open fires involving solid fuels are not allowed in the City of Delta" … "While fire containers are commonly sold in local stores, their use is not permitted in the City."
  - Source: [Delta Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 5855, 2001 (consolidated March 23, 2026), ss. 5.4, 5.5, 5.7](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/135288)
  - Official wording: "no person shall light, ignite," … "natural gas or propane fueled outdoor heating appliances used" … "only be carried out in areas designated and approved"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Burning yard waste:** Not allowed, except by Fire Chief permit in Agricultural-zoned areas: cut and piled brush and agricultural waste only, Monday to Friday, piles no bigger than 5 m across or 3 m high, 50 m from buildings, not within 500 m of residential, commercial or industrial property, with a watch kept. Metro Vancouver authorization is also needed.
  - Source: [Delta Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 5855, 2001 (consolidated March 23, 2026), ss. 5.4, 5.6, 5.6.4](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/135288)
  - Official wording: "in any area zoned "Agricultural"" … "such burning shall only be carried out from Monday to Friday" … "no pile of burning material shall exceed 5 metres in diameter or 3" … "a fire shall not be started within 500 metres of any property" … "The only acceptable material allowed to be burned under a fire permit is"
  - Source: [Green Can and Compost, Open Burning](https://www.delta.ca/services/garbage-recycling/green-can-compost)
  - Official wording: "Open burning is prohibited unless you obtain authorization from Metro Vancouver."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit:** The Fire Chief or a designated officer issues burning permits on an approved form: $100 for agricultural and land clearing, $100 for a camp fire.
  - Source: [Delta Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 5855, 2001 (consolidated March 23, 2026), ss. 5.6.1, 5.7](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/135288)
  - Official wording: "Every application for a fire permit pursuant to this Bylaw shall be made" … "to the Fire Chief or an Officer designated by him on a form approved by"
  - Source: [Delta Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 8386, Amendment Bylaw No. 8515, 2025, Schedule 9](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/243967)
  - Official wording: "Agricultural and Land Clearing $100.00" … "Camp Fire $100.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fire bans:** The Fire Chief can order a total burning ban and suspend permits when hazardous fire conditions exist. Fire hazard ratings (low, moderate, high, extreme) are set by Metro Vancouver and explained on the City's Fire Safety page. Open burning is banned year-round regardless.
  - Source: [Delta Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 5855, 2001 (consolidated March 23, 2026), s. 5.8](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/135288)
  - Official wording: "he may order a total ban on burning and may suspend, cancel or restrict for"
  - Source: [Fire Safety and Prevention, Fire Hazard Ratings](https://www.delta.ca/services/public-safety/fire-prevention)
  - Official wording: "Fire safety ratings are set by Metro Vancouver and range between low, moderate, high, and extreme." … "No open burning year-round in Delta."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Instead of burning:** Yard trimmings go in the weekly Green Can (no limit), or in Kraft paper bags or tied bundles. Residents may drop off yard trimmings free at GFL Environmental, 4295 72 Street, Ladner (604-946-0201).
  - Source: [Green Can and Compost, Free Yard Trimming Drop-off](https://www.delta.ca/services/garbage-recycling/green-can-compost)
  - Official wording: "Delta residents may drop off yard trimmings and clean wood waste for free at GFL Environmental Inc. composting facility (4295 72nd Street)" … "There is no limit to the amount of food waste and yard trimmings that is collected each week"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Open air burning (s. 5.4): $150 on a municipal ticket; $200 on a bylaw notice ($175 if paid in 14 days, $225 after 28 days). Fire department response to burning without a required permit is billed $300 for the first hour and $400 for each additional hour.
  - Source: [Delta Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw No. 6639 (consolidated May 22, 2026), Schedule 1, Fire Regulation Bylaw](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/135301)
  - Official wording: "5.4 Unlawful open air burning 150"
  - Source: [Delta Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 7009, 2011 (consolidated July 7, 2026), Schedule A](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/238336)
  - Official wording: "5.4 Prohibited Open Air Burning 200 175 225"
  - Source: [Delta Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 8386, Amendment Bylaw No. 8515, 2025, Schedule 9](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/243967)
  - Official wording: "Burning without a Required Permit $300.00 /first hour" … "Each additional hour $400.00 /hour"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Delta Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 5855, 2001
  - Source: [Delta Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 5855, 2001 (consolidated March 23, 2026), s. 1](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/135288)
  - Official wording: "Delta Fire Regulation Bylaw No."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 5855](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/135288) bans open fires with solid fuel, including campfires and fire pits or containers. It allows charcoal, natural gas or propane barbecues for cooking, and CSA/ULC-approved natural gas or propane fire pits and fire tables used as directed.

## Permits

- A Fire Chief camp-fire permit is possible only in designated areas ($100).
- Open burning is not allowed, except by Fire Chief permit in Agricultural-zoned areas: cut and piled brush and agricultural waste only, Monday to Friday, piles no bigger than 5 m across or 3 m high, 50 m from buildings, not within 500 m of residential, commercial or industrial property, with a watch kept. The permit is $100 for agricultural and land clearing. Metro Vancouver authorization is also needed (its rules were not readable for this answer).
- The Fire Chief can order a total burning ban and suspend permits when hazardous fire conditions exist. Fire hazard ratings are set by Metro Vancouver and explained on the City's Fire Safety page.

## Alternatives for yard waste

Put yard trimmings in the weekly Green Can (no limit), or in Kraft paper bags or tied bundles. Residents can drop off yard trimmings free at GFL Environmental, 4295 72 Street, Ladner (604-946-0201).

## Good to know

- The City's fire page says only agricultural and ceremonial fires may be permitted; the bylaw (s. 5.7) also lets the Fire Chief permit camp fires in designated areas. The bylaw governs, but confirm with the Fire Department.
- Open air burning fine: $150 on a municipal ticket, or $200 on a bylaw notice ($175 if paid within 14 days, $225 after 28 days). The two schedules differ.
- A fire department response to burning without a required permit is billed $300 for the first hour and $400 for each additional hour.

## Official forms and pages

- [Fire Safety and Prevention, City of Delta](https://www.delta.ca/services/public-safety/fire-prevention)
- [Delta Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 5855, 2001 (PDF)](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/135288)

## Related questions

- [Delta fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/fireworks.md)
- [Delta yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/yard-waste.md)
- [Delta bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/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)
- [Richmond](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/backyard-fire.md)
- [Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/backyard-fire.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/backyard-fire.md)
- [White Rock](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/backyard-fire.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/backyard-fire.md)
- [Surrey](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Fire Safety and Prevention, City of Delta](https://www.delta.ca/services/public-safety/fire-prevention) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Delta Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 5855, 2001 (consolidated March 23, 2026) (PDF)](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/135288) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Green Can and Compost, City of Delta](https://www.delta.ca/services/garbage-recycling/green-can-compost) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Delta Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 8386, Amendment Bylaw No. 8515, 2025 (PDF)](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/243967) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Delta Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw No. 6639 (consolidated May 22, 2026) (PDF)](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/135301) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Delta Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 7009, 2011 (consolidated July 7, 2026) (PDF)](https://delta.civicweb.net/document/238336) (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 Delta. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/backyard-fire/_