Duncan backyard fire and burning rules
Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Duncan?
Short answer
No. The City of Duncan bans all outdoor burning, including open and contained fires, so you cannot burn yard waste or wood. Only a fire pit up to 0.5 metres across that burns natural gas, propane or electricity is allowed, along with cooking on a manufactured barbecue.
Key facts
| Backyard campfires | No wood campfires: outdoor burning, including open or contained fires, is banned. Allowed: a fire pit up to 0.5 m across that burns natural gas, propane or electricity, and cooking in a manufactured gas, propane, charcoal or electric barbecue.Duncan Fire Department and Fire Services Bylaw No. 3218, 2023, s. 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person shall conduct outdoor burning, including open or contained fires. a cooking fire contained within a manufactured natural gas, propane, charcoal, or electric barbeque a decorative or recreational fire pit no greater than 0.5 metre (half metre) in diameter using natural gas, propane, or electricity is permitted. |
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| Burning yard waste | No. Backyard burning is completely banned in the City, and the Fire Services Bylaw bans all outdoor burning.Curbside Collection; Duncan Fire Department and Fire Services Bylaw No. 3218, 2023, s. 8.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPlease note that backyard burning is completely banned within the City. No person shall conduct outdoor burning, including open or contained fires. |
| Permit | None set. Duncan has no burning permit because outdoor burning is banned. |
| Fire bans | None set. Duncan has no separate fire-ban stage because burning is banned all year. |
| Instead of burning | Put yard waste in the green organics cart (collected weekly): grass, leaves, non-toxic weeds, branches under 1.5 cm thick and 60 cm long. Larger branches and other yard waste can be dropped off free at the Bings Creek Recycling Centre.Curbside Collection, Organics (Food and Yard Waste) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOrganic matter, including co-mingled food scraps and yard waste, may be placed in the green cart for collection every week. Residents can dispose of larger branches and other yard waste for free at the Bings Creek Recycling Centre. |
| Fine | Bylaw notice, unlawful burning: first offence $150 ($125 if paid within 14 days, $175 after 28 days); second and later offences $500. No municipal ticket (MTI) amount is listed for this offence.Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF, consolidated June 8, 2026), Schedule A, Fire Services Bylaw s. 8.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingUnlawful burning 1st Offence $150.00 $125.00 $175.00 YES 2nd and Subsequent Offence $500.00 $500.00 $500.00 NO |
| Bylaw | Duncan Fire Department and Fire Services Bylaw No. 3218, 2023 (Part 8)Duncan Fire Department and Fire Services Bylaw No. 3218, 2023, Title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDUNCAN FIRE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE SERVICES BYLAW NO. 3218, 2023 |
How it works
Part 8 of the Fire Services Bylaw No. 3218 bans outdoor burning, including open or contained fires. There is no burning permit, and the ban applies all year, so there is no separate fire-ban stage to check.
Good to know
- Allowed: a fire pit up to 0.5 metres across that burns natural gas, propane or electricity, and cooking in a manufactured gas, propane, charcoal or electric barbecue.
- Wood-fuelled fire pits are not among the allowed exemptions.
- Yard waste alternative: put grass, leaves, non-toxic weeds and branches under 1.5 cm thick and 60 cm long in the green organics cart, collected weekly. Larger branches and other yard waste can be dropped off free at the Bings Creek Recycling Centre.
- Making a fire in a City park is also prohibited under the Parks and Public Open Spaces Bylaw.
- Wood burning appliances may not be used during an Air Quality Advisory (Bylaw No. 3089), a different rule.
- Unlawful burning is a bylaw notice under Bylaw No. 3200: $150 first offence ($125 if paid within 14 days, $175 after 28 days); $500 for second and later offences. No municipal ticket amount is listed.
- For a burning complaint, use the City's Issue Reporting Form or call City Hall. For a fire out of control, call 9-1-1.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
North Cowichan · Ladysmith · North Saanich · Lake Cowichan · Sidney · Central Saanich
Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Duncan Fire Department and Fire Services Bylaw No. 3218, 2023 (PDF), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF, consolidated June 8, 2026), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
- Curbside Collection, City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
- Parks and Public Open Spaces Bylaw No. 3165 (PDF), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
- Wood Burning Appliances and Air Quality Bylaw No. 3089 (PDF), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 2 are recorded as not set. How answers are checked.