---
title: Kimberley backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Kimberley?"
place: Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/kimberley
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Kimberley
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/backyard-fire.json"
---

# Kimberley backyard fire and burning rules

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

**Short answer:** In Kimberley a recreational fire pit needs a permit from the Fire Department ($50, one time) and an inspection first. Use is allowed only between 3:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., with clean dry wood. Burning yard debris is unlawful, and permits are suspended during a burn ban.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Kimberley, https://www.kimberley.ca)  
**Cost:** Recreational fire pit permit: $50 once ($25 if a permit was already in effect before December 31, 2018). Municipal ticket, first or later offence: burning without a permit $200 or $400; burning yard waste $250 or $500; during a burn ban $500 or $1,000.  
**How long:** A permit may take up to 7 working days. It stays valid until the property changes owner or occupant, unless revoked for misuse.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Kimberley Fire Department, 250-427-4114 (Weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Email: Fire Department, fire@kimberley.ca
- In person: Kimberley Fire Department (hand delivery or mail of application), 340 Spokane Street, Kimberley, BC V1A 2E8

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Yes, by permit only. A recreational fire pit must be inspected and approved, may be used only between 3:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., and may burn only clean dry wood. The Fire Department can order a fire pit shut down if its smoke is a nuisance. Size and distance limits are in a diagram not available as text.
  - Source: [Recreational Fire Pit Application and FAQ, Fire Pits FAQ](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/60795)
  - Official wording: "Yes, by permit only." … "fire pits can only be operated between the hours of 3:30 pm until 11:00 pm." … "No, only clean dry wood must be used." … "you will be ordered to discontinue the use of the fire pit." … "prior to issuing a permit your fire pit must be inspected"
  - Source: [Outdoor Burning, Page text](https://www.kimberley.ca/services/emergency/fire-services/outdoor-burning)
  - Official wording: "All approved burning within the City of Kimberley must be supervised at all times"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Burning yard waste:** Burning yard debris is unlawful, as is burning construction materials or burning in an outside barrel, incinerator or outdoor boiler. Land clearing debris and forest fuel management burns need a special permit (bylaw sections 6 and 7). All approved burning must be supervised with equipment on site to put the fire out.
  - Source: [Outdoor Burning, Page text](https://www.kimberley.ca/services/emergency/fire-services/outdoor-burning)
  - Official wording: "- Burn yard debris" … "- Burn in an outside barrel, outside incinerator or an outdoor boiler" … "Section 6 – Land Clearing Debris Burn Permit" … "Section 7 – Forest Fuel Management Burn Permit" … "have sufficient equipment on site to extinguish or control the fire."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit:** Yes. A recreational fire pit permit from the Kimberley Fire Department costs a one-time $50 ($25 if a permit was already in effect before December 31, 2018). It is valid until the property changes owner or occupant, unless revoked for misuse. The pit is inspected first; renters need the owner's written authorization.
  - Source: [Outdoor Burning, Page text](https://www.kimberley.ca/services/emergency/fire-services/outdoor-burning)
  - Official wording: "one-time fee of $50 for a new permit (or $25 for a permit issued prior to December 31, 2018)" … "remain valid until a change in property ownership or occupant, unless revoked for misuse."
  - Source: [Recreational Fire Pit Application and FAQ](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/60795)
  - Official wording: "$50.00 New Permit Application" … "Permits now only expire when there is a change in ownership or occupant." … "the fire department requires written confirmation from the homeowner" … "Kimberley Fire Department"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fire bans:** The City follows the Province's recommendations on open burning bans. During a ban, fire pit permits are suspended until it is lifted. The City posts bans on kimberley.ca and Facebook and emails permit holders, but it is the permit holder's responsibility to check that no ban is in place.
  - Source: [Recreational Fire Pit Application and FAQ, Fire Pits FAQ (page 4)](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/60795)
  - Official wording: "The City of Kimberley follows recommendations by the Province regarding open burning" … "During fire bans fire pit permits will be suspended until the ban is lifted." … "The City posts fire ban information on www.Kimberley.ca and on its Facebook page." … "it is your responsibility to ensure that there are no bans in place."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Instead of burning:** Yard waste goes in the green organics cart at the curb. Yard and garden waste can also be taken to the Kimberley Transfer Station, 800 Jim Ogilvie Way.
  - Source: [Garbage, Recycling, and Organics](https://www.kimberley.ca/services/environment/garbage-recycling-and-organics)
  - Official wording: "Accepts organic waste such as food scraps, bones, yard waste"
  - Source: [Kimberley Transfer Station, Regional District of East Kootenay, Services list](https://www.rdek.bc.ca/departments/environmentalservices/garbage_recycling/kimberley_transfer_station/)
  - Official wording: "Yard and Garden Waste" … "The Kimberley Transfer Station is located at 800 Jim Ogilvie Way."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Municipal ticket, first / later offence: burning without a permit $200 / $400; burning yard waste $250 / $500; non-compliant fire pit, burning outside permitted hours, or an unattended fire pit $200 / $400; burning during a burn ban $500 / $1,000.
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Amendment Bylaw No. 2672, 2021, Schedule 7](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/81479)
  - Official wording: "Burning without a permit 4.1 $200.00 $400.00" … "Yard waste burninq 4.2 $250.00 $500.00" … "Burning during burn ban 4.4 $500.00 $1,000.00" … "Non-compliant fire pit 8.1 $200.00 $400.00" … "Burning outside of permitted hours $200.00 $400.00" … "Unattended at recreational fire pit 8.1 (I) $200.00 $400.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of Kimberley Open Burning Bylaw No. 2627, 2018
  - Source: [Recreational Fire Pit Application and FAQ, Application form](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/60795)
  - Official wording: "Ref: City of Kimberley Open Burning Bylaw No. 2627, 2018"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City's [Open Burning Bylaw No. 2627, 2018](<https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/60794>) is a scanned PDF we could not read, so these rules come from the City's Fire Pit FAQ and Outdoor Burning page, which say they follow it.

A recreational fire pit needs a permit. The pit is inspected and approved first. It may be used only between 3:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. and may burn only clean dry wood. The Fire Department can order a fire pit shut down if its smoke is a nuisance. Size and distance limits are in a diagram that is not available as text, so ask the Fire Department. Commercially made fireplaces and chimineas often are not approved.

Burning yard debris is unlawful, as is burning construction materials or burning in an outside barrel, incinerator or outdoor boiler. Land clearing debris and forest fuel management burns need a special permit. For where and when those may happen, ask the Fire Department. All approved burning must be supervised with equipment on site to put the fire out.

## Steps

1. Complete the Recreational Fire Pit Application. If you rent, you need the owner's written authorization.
2. Apply by mail or hand delivery to 340 Spokane Street, with the $50 fee.
3. The Fire Department inspects the pit. The permit may take up to 7 working days.

## Good to know

- The permit is a one-time $50 ($25 if a permit was already in effect before December 31, 2018). It stays valid until the property changes owner or occupant, unless revoked for misuse.
- The City follows the Province's recommendations on open burning bans. During a ban, fire pit permits are suspended until it is lifted. Check kimberley.ca for the current status. The City also posts on Facebook and emails permit holders, but it is the permit holder's job to check that no ban is in place.
- For yard waste, use the green organics cart at the curb, or the Kimberley Transfer Station, 800 Jim Ogilvie Way.
- Municipal tickets, first or later offence: burning without a permit $200 or $400; burning yard waste $250 or $500; non-compliant fire pit, burning outside permitted hours, or an unattended fire pit $200 or $400; burning during a burn ban $500 or $1,000.

## What you'll need

- Completed Recreational Fire Pit Application
- Written authorization from the owner, if you rent

## Official forms and pages

- [Recreational Fire Pit Application and Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/60795)
- [Open Burning Bylaw No. 2627, 2018 (PDF, scanned)](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/60794)
- [Outdoor Burning, City of Kimberley](https://www.kimberley.ca/services/emergency/fire-services/outdoor-burning)

## Related questions

- [Kimberley fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/fireworks.md)
- [Kimberley yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/yard-waste.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire.md)
- [Cranbrook](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/backyard-fire.md)
- [Canal Flats](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/canal-flats/backyard-fire.md)
- [Fernie](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/backyard-fire.md)
- [Creston](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/backyard-fire.md)
- [Kaslo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kaslo/backyard-fire.md)
- [Sparwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sparwood/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Recreational Fire Pit Application and FAQ (PDF), City of Kimberley](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/60795) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Outdoor Burning, City of Kimberley](https://www.kimberley.ca/services/emergency/fire-services/outdoor-burning) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Amendment Bylaw No. 2672, 2021 (PDF), City of Kimberley](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/81479) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Garbage, Recycling, and Organics, City of Kimberley](https://www.kimberley.ca/services/environment/garbage-recycling-and-organics) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Kimberley Transfer Station, Regional District of East Kootenay](https://www.rdek.bc.ca/departments/environmentalservices/garbage_recycling/kimberley_transfer_station/) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Kimberley. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/backyard-fire/_