Delta backyard fire and burning rules
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.
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.Fire Safety and Prevention, Outdoor Burning; Delta Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 5855, 2001 (consolidated March 23, 2026), ss. 5.4, 5.5, 5.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingopen 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. no person shall light, ignite, natural gas or propane fueled outdoor heating appliances used only be carried out in areas designated and approved |
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| 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.Delta Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 5855, 2001 (consolidated March 23, 2026), ss. 5.4, 5.6, 5.6.4; Green Can and Compost, Open Burning · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingin 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 Open burning is prohibited unless you obtain authorization from Metro Vancouver. |
| 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.Delta Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 5855, 2001 (consolidated March 23, 2026), ss. 5.6.1, 5.7; Delta Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 8386, Amendment Bylaw No. 8515, 2025, Schedule 9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingEvery 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 Agricultural and Land Clearing $100.00 Camp Fire $100.00 |
| 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.Delta Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 5855, 2001 (consolidated March 23, 2026), s. 5.8; Fire Safety and Prevention, Fire Hazard Ratings · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinghe may order a total ban on burning and may suspend, cancel or restrict for Fire safety ratings are set by Metro Vancouver and range between low, moderate, high, and extreme. No open burning year-round in Delta. |
| 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).Green Can and Compost, Free Yard Trimming Drop-off · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDelta 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 |
| 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.Delta Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw No. 6639 (consolidated May 22, 2026), Schedule 1, Fire Regulation Bylaw; Delta Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 7009, 2011 (consolidated July 7, 2026), Schedule A; Delta Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 8386, Amendment Bylaw No. 8515, 2025, Schedule 9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording5.4 Unlawful open air burning 150 5.4 Prohibited Open Air Burning 200 175 225 Burning without a Required Permit $300.00 /first hour Each additional hour $400.00 /hour |
| Bylaw | Delta Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 5855, 2001Delta Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 5855, 2001 (consolidated March 23, 2026), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDelta Fire Regulation Bylaw No. |
How it works
The Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 5855 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
The same question in other places
Richmond · Vancouver · Burnaby · White Rock · New Westminster · Surrey
Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Fire Safety and Prevention, City of Delta (read 2026-11-05)
- Delta Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 5855, 2001 (consolidated March 23, 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Green Can and Compost, City of Delta (read 2026-11-05)
- Delta Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 8386, Amendment Bylaw No. 8515, 2025 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Delta Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw No. 6639 (consolidated May 22, 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Delta Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 7009, 2011 (consolidated July 7, 2026) (PDF) (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.