---
title: Hope backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Hope?"
place: Hope, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/hope
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Hope
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/backyard-fire.json"
---

# Hope backyard fire and burning rules

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

**Short answer:** In Hope, dry garden and yard refuse may be burned without a permit only during a two-week period each Spring and Fall set by Council. Small firepits for warmth or cooking, built to the bylaw's diagram, need no permit. A $200 permit is only for lot clearing and commercial or industrial cleanup.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Hope, https://www.hope.ca)  
**Cost:** Spring and Fall residential burning and small firepits: no permit. Lot-clearing or commercial or industrial cleanup burn permit: $200, valid 72 hours. Fine: bylaw notice $500 ($400 if paid within 14 days); municipal ticket $1,000; in court $100 to $2,000 per offence.  
**How long:** A permit is valid 72 hours.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Fire Department, 604-869-5671
- Email: Fire Department, fire@hope.ca
- Online: Burning Permit page, https://hope.ca/burning-permit

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Small firepits used for warmth or cooking, burning seasoned wood and built as shown in the bylaw's Schedule G diagram, need no permit. Barbecues and other propane, natural gas or charcoal cookers are also exempt. The Fire Chief can still prohibit any outdoor fire.
  - Source: [Volunteer Fire Department Establishment, and Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1006, 1998, s. 404(1)](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86970/dcd591FireBylaw_jAAFix.pdf)
  - Official wording: "small firepits used for warmth or the preparation of food using seasoned wood" … "fuel and described in Schedule “G” attached to and forming part of this Bylaw."
  - Source: [Volunteer Fire Department Establishment, and Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1006, 1998, s. 401(1)](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86970/dcd591FireBylaw_jAAFix.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The Fire Chief may prohibit any or all types of outdoor fires"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Burning yard waste:** Dry garden and yard refuse (small prunings, vegetable garden refuse) may be burned only during a two-week period each Spring and Fall set by Council, dawn to dusk, on private property, with no permit. Pile no larger than 1 m by 1 m and 1.5 m high; at least 4 m from any log, stump or standing tree; at least 15 m from slash, flammable debris or any structure; attended by an adult; water and a shovel on hand. No tires, plastics, household garbage or anything giving heavy black smoke.
  - Source: [Volunteer Fire Department Establishment, and Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1006, 1998, s. 402(1)](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86970/dcd591FireBylaw_jAAFix.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Open burning of dry garden and yard refuse is allowed for a two (2) week period in" … "the Spring and Fall each year, with such burning periods to be established by"
  - Source: [Volunteer Fire Department Establishment, and Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1006, 1998, Schedule E, s. 2](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86970/dcd591FireBylaw_jAAFix.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the piles of materials to be burned shall not be larger than 1 meter by 1 meter" … "and shall not be more than 1.5 meters high;" … "the fire shall be not less than 4 meters from any log, stumps, snag or standing" … "the fire shall be at least 15 meters from any slash, other flammable debris or"
  - Source: [Burning Permit, Before You Conduct Your Burn](https://hope.ca/burning-permit)
  - Official wording: "Will the fire be at least 15 metres from any structure?"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit:** A $200 permit valid for 72 hours is required for lot-clearing burns for development and for yard cleanup in commercial or industrial areas, with at least 15 days smoke-free between burns on the same property. The District's page says to get a burn registration number from the Province, apply to the District and pay $200 on approval, check that the Venting Index is Good, and notify the Fire Department before lighting. No permit is needed for the Spring and Fall residential period.
  - Source: [Volunteer Fire Department Establishment, and Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1006, 1998, s. 403(1)](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86970/dcd591FireBylaw_jAAFix.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Burning for lot clearing for development, and burning for the purpose of yard clean up" … "A fee of $200.00 is to be paid to the District for each permit issued." … "shall be a smoke free period of at least 15 days between burns on the same property."
  - Source: [Burning Permit, Summary of Burning Permit Process](https://hope.ca/burning-permit)
  - Official wording: "Burning permits cost $200 and are valid for 72 hours." … "Obtain a burn registration number from the Province of British Columbia." … "Notify the Fire Department before ignition."
  - Source: [Volunteer Fire Department Establishment, and Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1006, 1998, s. 402(1)](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86970/dcd591FireBylaw_jAAFix.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Permits for this type of residential" … "burning are not required."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fire bans:** The Fire Chief may prohibit any or all outdoor fires when conditions make them a hazard or nuisance (call the Fire Department, 604-869-5671). Provincial BC Wildfire Service orders usually do not apply inside municipal boundaries; the Venting Index must be Good for permit burns.
  - Source: [Volunteer Fire Department Establishment, and Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1006, 1998, s. 401(1)](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86970/dcd591FireBylaw_jAAFix.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The Fire Chief may prohibit any or all types of outdoor fires when, in his opinion,"
  - Source: [Burning Permit, Burn Day Checklist](https://hope.ca/burning-permit)
  - Official wording: "Check Venting Index – must be rated “Good”"
  - Source: [Fire bans and restrictions, BC Wildfire Service, Where BC Wildfire Service orders apply](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions)
  - Official wording: "Typically, BCWS open fire prohibition and equipment/activity prohibition orders will specify that they do not apply within municipal boundaries, with certain exceptions."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Instead of burning:** Yard waste (grass, leaves, branches, small tree trimmings) goes in the organics cart collected at the curb. Larger material can go to the District Transfer Station (green waste $85 per 1,000 kg, minimum fee $12.50).
  - Source: [Waste Management, Frequently Asked Questions](https://hope.ca/waste-management)
  - Official wording: "Yard waste, including grass clippings, leaves, weeds, flowers, bark mulch, branches, and small tree trimmings."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1363, 2015, Schedule L, Transfer Station - Self Haul](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86974/Fees_Charges_Bylaw)
  - Official wording: "Minimum Fee for all Waste Categories $12.50" … "$85.00/1,000 kg"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: $500 ($400 if paid within 14 days; $100 surcharge after 28 days). Municipal ticket: $1,000. In court, $100 to $2,000 per offence.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1627, 2026, Schedule A (BNE Bylaw No. 1627, 2026)](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136112/1627%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%20%28website%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "District of Hope Volunteer Fire Department" … "Establishment, and Fire and Safety Regulations" … "$500.00 $400.00 $100.00 Yes"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1628, 2026, Schedule A (MTI Bylaw No. 1628, 2026)](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136113/1628%20-%20Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20Bylaw%20%28website%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "District of Hope Volunteer Fire Department" … "Establishment, and Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw"
  - Source: [Volunteer Fire Department Establishment, and Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1006, 1998, s. 801(2)](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86970/dcd591FireBylaw_jAAFix.pdf)
  - Official wording: "not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) and not more than two thousand dollars" … "($2,000.00) for each infraction or offense"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** District of Hope Volunteer Fire Department Establishment, and Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1006, 1998 (the District's burning permit page calls it the Fire Services Bylaw)
  - Source: [Volunteer Fire Department Establishment, and Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1006, 1998, Title page](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86970/dcd591FireBylaw_jAAFix.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BYLAW No. 1006, 1998"
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1627, 2026, Schedule A (BNE Bylaw No. 1627, 2026)](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136112/1627%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%20%28website%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "District of Hope Volunteer Fire Department" … "Establishment, and Fire and Safety Regulations" … "$500.00 $400.00 $100.00 Yes"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

In Hope, the [Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1006](<https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86970/dcd591FireBylaw_jAAFix.pdf>) (the District's burning permit page calls it the Fire Services Bylaw) allows three things without a permit:

- **Small firepits** for warmth or cooking, burning seasoned wood and built as shown in the bylaw's Schedule G diagram. Schedule G is a drawing with no text, so the size limits could not be read. Barbecues and propane, natural gas or charcoal cookers are also exempt.
- **Dry garden and yard refuse** (small prunings, vegetable garden refuse) during a two-week period each Spring and Fall, set by Council. Burn from dawn to dusk on private property.
- A **$200 permit** (valid 72 hours) is required only for lot-clearing burns for development and for yard cleanup in commercial or industrial areas. There must be at least 15 days smoke-free between burns on the same property.

## Steps

1. Spring and Fall burn rules: pile no larger than 1 m by 1 m and 1.5 m high; at least 4 m from any log, stump or standing tree; at least 15 m from slash, flammable debris or any structure. An adult must attend, with water and a shovel on hand. No tires, plastics, household garbage or anything giving heavy black smoke.
2. For a $200 permit: get a burn registration number from the Province, apply to the District through its Application Packages page, and pay $200 on approval. The Venting Index must be Good. Notify the Fire Department before lighting.
3. Questions: Fire Department, 604-869-5671, fire@hope.ca.

## Good to know

- The dates change each year and are advertised. Ask the Fire Department for the current period.
- The Fire Chief can prohibit any or all outdoor fires when conditions make them a hazard or nuisance. The District's pages do not name a place to check for a current ban, so call the Fire Department. Provincial BC Wildfire Service orders usually do not apply inside municipal boundaries.
- Instead of burning, yard waste goes in the organics cart. Larger material can go to the District Transfer Station (green waste $85 per 1,000 kg, minimum fee $12.50).
- A bylaw notice is $500 ($400 if paid within 14 days); a municipal ticket is $1,000. In court, $100 to $2,000 per offence.

## Official forms and pages

- [Burning Permit, District of Hope](https://hope.ca/burning-permit)
- [Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1006, 1998 (PDF)](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86970/dcd591FireBylaw_jAAFix.pdf)
- [Application Packages](https://hope.ca/application-packages)

## Related questions

- [Hope fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/fireworks.md)
- [Hope yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/yard-waste.md)
- [Hope noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/noise-rules.md)
- [Hope bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/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)
- [Kent](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/backyard-fire.md)
- [Harrison Hot Springs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/backyard-fire.md)
- [Chilliwack](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/backyard-fire.md)
- [Princeton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/backyard-fire.md)
- [Abbotsford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/backyard-fire.md)
- [Mission](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Burning Permit, District of Hope](https://hope.ca/burning-permit) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Volunteer Fire Department Establishment, and Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1006, 1998 (PDF), District of Hope](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86970/dcd591FireBylaw_jAAFix.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Permits, Licences & Applications, District of Hope](https://hope.ca/application-packages) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Waste Management, District of Hope](https://hope.ca/waste-management) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fire bans and restrictions, BC Wildfire Service](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1363, 2015, District of Hope](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86974/Fees_Charges_Bylaw) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1627, 2026 (PDF), District of Hope](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136112/1627%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%20%28website%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1628, 2026 (PDF), District of Hope](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/136113/1628%20-%20Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20Bylaw%20%28website%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 District of Hope. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/backyard-fire/_