{"title":"Gold River backyard fire and burning rules","question":"Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Gold River?","slug":"backyard-fire","place":{"path":"ca/bc/gold-river","name":"Gold River","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"bylaws-and-complaints","name":"Bylaws, noise and complaints"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"Village of Gold River","url":"https://goldriver.ca"},"short_answer":"In Gold River, a backyard wood campfire or fire pit must be registered with the Village and follow Schedule C. Open burning is prohibited April 15 to October 15. Burning yard debris, garbage and construction waste is strictly prohibited; only land-clearing debris may be burned, under a permit.","aliases":["burn permit gold river","fire pit bylaw gold river","open burning gold river","campfire rules gold river"],"cost":"No fee amount is stated for permits or registration. Ticket amount not readable in the Village's posted bylaws. Yard waste at the Drop Off Depot is $65 a tonne.","how_long":"A land-clearing permit is valid for a maximum of three days.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Village Hall","value":"(250) 283-2202","note":"Apply at the Village office or with the form on the Village website, per the Village's brochure."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Open Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 718, 2019 (PDF)","url":"https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-718-2019-Open-Fire-Regulation.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"fireworks","title":"Gold River fireworks rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/fireworks/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/tahsis","name":"Tahsis","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tahsis/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/campbell-river","name":"Campbell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/tofino","name":"Tofino","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sayward","name":"Sayward","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sayward/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cumberland","name":"Cumberland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/courtenay","name":"Courtenay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/backyard-fire/"}],"topic":{"title":"Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire/"},"facts":{"campfires":{"label":"Backyard campfires","value":"Backyard campfires, fire pits, chimineas and outdoor fireplaces not fuelled by natural gas or propane must be registered and follow Schedule C: 4 m (13 ft) clear of structures, 2 m (6.5 ft) from shrubbery and wooden fences, base no larger than 1 m x 1 m (3 ft x 3 ft), extinguishing equipment such as a charged hose at hand, constant supervision by a resident over 16, and fully out by 11:00 p.m. Open burning is prohibited April 15 to October 15. Gas or propane appliances, and charcoal or pellet fires in barbecues or other approved appliances, are exempt from the ban and the permit.","short":"Yes, if registered; no burning April 15 to October 15","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-718-2019-Open-Fire-Regulation.pdf","title":"Open Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 718, 2019 (PDF), Village of Gold River","section":"s. 2.4","quotes":["Backyard campfires, fire pits, chimineas and outdoor fireplaces not fueled by either","natural gas or propane are required to be registered"]},{"url":"https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-718-2019-Open-Fire-Regulation.pdf","title":"Open Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 718, 2019 (PDF), Village of Gold River","section":"s. 2.1","quotes":["Open burning is prohibited between April 15th and October 15th in any given year."]},{"url":"https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-718-2019-Open-Fire-Regulation.pdf","title":"Open Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 718, 2019 (PDF), Village of Gold River","section":"s. 2.3","quotes":["Charcoal, pellet, natural gas or propane gas fires contained within barbecues or other approved"]},{"url":"https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-718-2019-Open-Fire-Regulation.pdf","title":"Open Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 718, 2019 (PDF), Village of Gold River","section":"Sched. C","quotes":["Maintain a clearance of 4 meters (13 feet) from any structure","no larger in area than 1-meter x 1- meter (3 feet x 3 feet)","fully extinguished by 11:00 p.m. every evening."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"open_burning":{"label":"Burning yard waste","value":"Burning yard debris (leaves, grass clippings, cuttings from pruning shrubs and trees), garbage, construction waste and noxious materials is strictly prohibited. Only land-clearing debris (cut and piled brush, slash, grass and other organic material from clearing land) may be burned, under a permit, between October 15 and April 15, in daylight only, at least 4.6 m (15 ft) from buildings, with piles no more than 5 m across and 3 m high.","short":"No; only land-clearing debris with a permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-718-2019-Open-Fire-Regulation.pdf","title":"Open Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 718, 2019 (PDF), Village of Gold River","section":"s. 2.6","quotes":["Burning of construction waste, garbage, noxious materials and yard debris is strictly","prohibited in the open air"]},{"url":"https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-718-2019-Open-Fire-Regulation.pdf","title":"Open Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 718, 2019 (PDF), Village of Gold River","section":"s. 1.1 \"Yard Debris\"","quotes":["leaves, grass clippings and cuttings resulting from the pruning of shrubs and trees."]},{"url":"https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-718-2019-Open-Fire-Regulation.pdf","title":"Open Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 718, 2019 (PDF), Village of Gold River","section":"s. 3.1","quotes":["burning of land clearing debris may only occur between October 15th and April 15th","burn piles of land clearing debris shall not exceed 5 metres in diameter or 3 metres in height.","burning must be done during daylight hours only."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"permit":{"label":"Permit","value":"Yes. No one may start or maintain an open fire without a permit from the Village; backyard campfires are registered instead. Permits and registrations are issued or revoked only by the Fire Chief or the Chief Administrative Officer (land-clearing permits by the Fire Chief or another authorized person). A land-clearing permit is valid for a maximum of three days.","short":"Yes; backyard campfires registered instead","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-718-2019-Open-Fire-Regulation.pdf","title":"Open Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 718, 2019 (PDF), Village of Gold River","section":"s. 2.2","quotes":["no person shall start or maintain an open fire, or cause","unless the fire is allowed under a permit issued by the Village of Gold River."]},{"url":"https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-718-2019-Open-Fire-Regulation.pdf","title":"Open Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 718, 2019 (PDF), Village of Gold River","section":"s. 2.4","quotes":["Schedule C permits may only be issued/revoked by either the Village of Gold River Fire Chief or the Chief Administrative Officer."]},{"url":"https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-718-2019-Open-Fire-Regulation.pdf","title":"Open Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 718, 2019 (PDF), Village of Gold River","section":"s. 5.1","quotes":["shall be valid for a maximum of three (3) days"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fire_bans":{"label":"Fire bans","value":null,"status":"none","note":"The bylaw does not describe a fire-ban process.","sources":[{"url":"https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-718-2019-Open-Fire-Regulation.pdf","title":"Open Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 718, 2019 (PDF), Village of Gold River"}]},"alternatives":{"label":"Instead of burning","value":"Yard debris, garbage and construction waste must be taken to the Public Works Depot-Transfer Station (Drop Off Depot). Yard waste up to 8 inches in diameter is accepted at $65 a tonne.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-718-2019-Open-Fire-Regulation.pdf","title":"Open Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 718, 2019 (PDF), Village of Gold River","section":"s. 2.7","quotes":["Construction waste, garbage, noxious materials and yard debris must be deposited at the Public Works","Depot-Transfer Station."]},{"url":"https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-Garbage-and-Recycling.pdf","title":"2024 Garbage and Recycling brochure (PDF), Village of Gold River","section":"2024 brochure","quotes":["Yard Waste – up to 8” diameter accepted","$65.00 / tonne"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"scanned","note":"The ticket bylaws are scanned PDFs that could not be read.","sources":[]},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Open Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 718, 2019 (amended by Bylaws No. 718.1, 2021 and 718.2, 2022)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-718-2019-Open-Fire-Regulation.pdf","title":"Open Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 718, 2019 (PDF), Village of Gold River","section":"Title","quotes":["Open Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 718, 2019"]},{"url":"https://goldriver.ca/document-category/bylaw/","title":"Bylaws Archives - Village of Gold River","section":"Bylaw library","quotes":["Bylaw No 718.1, 2021 Open Fire Regulation Amendment","Bylaw No 718.2, 2022 – Open Fire Regulation Amendment"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":1,"unknown":1},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe [Open Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 718, 2019](https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-718-2019-Open-Fire-Regulation.pdf) says no one may start or maintain an open fire without a permit from the Village. Backyard campfires are registered instead. Permits and registrations are issued or revoked only by the Fire Chief or the Chief Administrative Officer (land-clearing permits by the Fire Chief or another authorized person).\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Backyard campfires, fire pits, chimineas and outdoor fireplaces not fuelled by natural gas or propane must be registered and follow Schedule C. Open burning is prohibited April 15 to October 15.\n- Schedule C: 4 metres (13 feet) clear of structures, 2 metres (6.5 feet) from shrubbery and wooden fences, base no larger than 1 metre by 1 metre (3 feet by 3 feet), extinguishing equipment such as a charged hose at hand, constant supervision by a resident over 16, and fully out by 11:00 p.m.\n- Gas or propane appliances, and charcoal or pellet fires in barbecues or other approved appliances, are exempt from the ban and the permit.\n- Yard debris (leaves, grass clippings, cuttings from pruning shrubs and trees), garbage, construction waste and noxious materials may not be burned at all.\n- Land-clearing debris (cut and piled brush, slash, grass and other organic material from clearing land) may be burned under a permit between October 15 and April 15, in daylight only, at least 4.6 metres (15 feet) from buildings, with piles no more than 5 metres across and 3 metres high.\n- Take yard debris, garbage and construction waste to the Drop Off Depot. Yard waste up to 8 inches in diameter is accepted at $65 a tonne.\n- The bylaw does not describe a fire-ban process, but the Fire Chief can withhold, suspend or cancel a permit or order a fire out. The latest amendment (2022) could not be read, so confirm current rules with the Village at (250) 283-2202.","sources":[{"url":"https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bylaw-No-718-2019-Open-Fire-Regulation.pdf","title":"Open Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 718, 2019 (PDF), Village of Gold River","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-Garbage-and-Recycling.pdf","title":"2024 Garbage and Recycling brochure (PDF), Village of Gold River","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://goldriver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Bylaw-No-612.16-2025-Trade-Waste-and-Garbage-Amendment-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Trade Waste and Garbage Amendment Bylaw No. 612.16, 2025 (PDF), Village of Gold River","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://goldriver.ca/document-category/bylaw/","title":"Bylaws Archives - Village of Gold River","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set; 1 could not be confirmed."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/backyard-fire/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/backyard-fire.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/backyard-fire.json"}}