Highlands backyard fire and burning rules
Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Highlands?
Short answer
In Highlands, every open-air fire, including a campfire, needs a free burn permit from the Fire Chief, all year. Campfire permits are approved automatically online. Burn only when the Ventilation Index is "good". A fire without a permit is a $500 ticket.
Key facts
| Backyard campfires | Allowed only with a free burn permit from the Fire Chief: every open-air fire, including a campfire, needs one, all year. Campfire permits (up to 0.5 m x 0.5 m) are approved automatically online. Residential charcoal-briquette, natural gas or propane appliances on a firm non-combustible base need no permit.Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474, 2025, s. 33(a) and 33(h); Burning Permits · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingany fire of any kind whatsoever in the open air or in an appliance, container or device in the open air, without first having obtained a permit from the Fire Chief an outdoor appliance that uses charcoal briquettes or is fueled by and burns natural gas or propane, for residential use only is permitted ALL outdoor fires in the Highlands require a permit. Campfire permits (max size .5m x .5m) |
|---|---|
| Burning yard waste | Only with a permit. The Fire Chief may permit burning of brush, stumps and slash from land clearing, and dry garden refuse, on conditions. Burn only when the Ventilation Index is forecast 'good'. Garbage, treated wood, plastic and construction waste may not be burned; paper only to start a fire.Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474, 2025, s. 33(b), (d), (e); Burning Permits · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording(iv) garden refuse the burning of brush, stumps, slash and like materials, resulting from the the burning of dry garden refuse; Ventilation Index covering the District is forecast as “good” paper products, other than to start a fire; construction or demolition waste is prohibited Note: There is no longer an "open season" for burning |
| Permit | Yes. Get a free burn permit from the Fire Chief through the District's online permit system. Permits are required year-round and are free of charge.Burning Permits; Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474, 2025, s. 33(a) and s. 38 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThese permits are mandatory year-round and are free of charge. The District of Highlands offers a FREE online permitting process for all open burning. without first having obtained a permit from the Fire Chief. |
| Fire bans | The Fire Chief may order that no burning is to occur in the District for an indefinite or specified period, and permits already issued stop being effective. Check the BC Ventilation Index before burning; burning is allowed only when it is 'good'.Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474, 2025, s. 33(e) and (f); Wood and Backyard Burning, Check Conditions Before You Burn · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe Fire Chief may, where he/she deems it expedient to do so, order that no burning previously issued permits cease to be effective as of the date of such order. Burning is only permitted when the index is rated “GOOD” for the day. |
| Instead of burning | Compost leaves and clippings, hire a tree-trimming company to remove land-clearing debris, or take yard and garden material to CRD Hartland Landfill (fees apply).Wood and Backyard Burning; Hartland Landfill rates and accepted items, Capital Regional District, Yard & Garden Waste · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingCompost leaves and clippings instead of burning them. Hire tree trimming companies to dispose of land clearing debris. Yard and garden material (less than 3"dia) - $59/tonne, $10 minimum |
| Fine | Open-air fire without a permit (s. 33(a)): bylaw notice $500 ($400 within 14 days; $600 after 28 days); municipal ticket $500. Burning contrary to a permit condition or outside the distance rules: $200. Open-air fire during a burning ban (s. 33(f)): municipal ticket $1,150.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 475, 2025, Schedule A, Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 478, 2025, Schedule A, Appendix 8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingOpen air fire without permit 33 a) $500.00 $400.00 $600.00 Burning fires outside distance 35 $200.00 $160.00 $240.00 Open air fire during a burning ban 33 f) $1,150.00 Open air fire without permit 33 a) $500.00 |
| Bylaw | Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474, 2025.Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474, 2025, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited as " Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474, 2025”. |
How it works
Under the Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474, 2025, every open-air fire, including a campfire, needs a free burn permit from the Fire Chief, all year. Residential charcoal-briquette, natural gas or propane appliances on a firm non-combustible base need no permit. The Fire Chief may permit burning of brush, stumps and slash from land clearing, and dry garden refuse, on conditions. Garbage, treated wood, plastic and construction waste may not be burned; paper only to start a fire.
Steps
- Get a free permit through the District's online burning permit system.
- Burn only when the BC Ventilation Index is forecast "good".
- Keep a fire larger than 0.5 m³ at least 6 m from any building or property line and 1 m from shrubbery, tall grass, a fence or other combustibles.
Good to know
- Fires over 1 m³ must be 500 m from any residence or business and 15 m from combustibles.
- The Fire Chief may order that no burning is to occur for an indefinite or specified period, and permits already issued stop being effective. Check the District and the Province for current bans; the District's page says campfires are also controlled under the provincial Wildfire Act.
- Alternatives: compost leaves and clippings, hire a tree-trimming company, or take yard material to CRD Hartland Landfill (fees apply).
- Fire without a permit: bylaw notice $500 ($400 within 14 days; $600 after 28 days); municipal ticket $500. Burning against a permit condition or the distance rules: $200. Open-air fire during a burning ban: municipal ticket $1,150.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Langford · View Royal · Central Saanich · Colwood · Esquimalt · Saanich
Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474, 2025 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Burning Permits, District of Highlands (read 2026-11-08)
- Wood and Backyard Burning, District of Highlands (read 2026-11-08)
- Hartland Landfill rates and accepted items, Capital Regional District (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 475, 2025 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 478, 2025 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
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.