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

# Lake Country backyard fire and burning rules

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

**Short answer:** In Lake Country, campfires are allowed with the owner's permission if they are no bigger than 1 m across and 1 m high, but not when fire hazard is rated high. Burning yard waste is not allowed except dry prunings and branches, with a $20 permit, on 1 hectare or more, October 1 to April 30.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Lake Country, https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca)  
**Cost:** Open burning permit $20, or $30 for farm-assessed (Class 9) properties; $0 for an insect or disease burning permit. Special burning permits $1,000 a month. No permit is needed for campfires.  
**How long:** Not stated on the pages read.  
**Where:**
- Online: Open burning permit information (RDCO), https://www.rdco.com/environment/open-burning/
- Phone: RDCO Outdoor Burning Hotline, 1-855-262-2876
- Phone: Fire Department administration (non-emergency), 250-766-2327

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Yes, with the property owner's permission: seasoned wood only, no bigger than 1 m across and 1 m high, watched by a competent person with equipment to stop it spreading, and at least 3 m from anything combustible. A campfire is a fire for cooking, heat or light for camping or recreation.
  - Source: [Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (consolidated to 2017), s. 1 (Campfire), s. 3](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-612-2007-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "Campfires are permitted with the permission of the property owner provided that the fire is" … "fueled by seasoned wood and provided the fire is no larger than one metre in diameter and height" … "A minimum" … "separation of three metres shall be maintained between campfires and any combustible material."
  - Source: [Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (consolidated to 2017), s. 1](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-612-2007-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "“Campfire” means a fire used for the purpose of cooking and/or to provide heat and light"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Burning yard waste:** Not for grass, leaves, weeds or garden waste. Only dry prunings, branches, trunks and stumps from your own parcel may be burned, with a permit, on properties of 1 hectare (2.5 acres) or more, October 1 to April 30, from 7 a.m. to sunset, 30 m from property lines and buildings, pile no bigger than 2 m high by 3 m across.
  - Source: [Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (consolidated to 2017), s. 4(c), 5, 7](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-612-2007-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "no person shall burn garbage," … "compostable materials, or prohibited materials." … "All permitted burning materials shall originate from the parcel of land where the burn is" … "Only those residents that have properties greater than or equal to 1 hectare (2.5 acres) are" … "October 1 to December 31" … "January 1 to April 30" … "A minimum separation of thirty (30) metres shall be maintained between the location of a" … "No fire shall be larger than 2 metres in height by 3 metres in diameter;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit:** Yes, for open burning (not campfires). Apply to the District (online). Fee $20, or $30 for farm-assessed (Class 9) properties; $0 for an insect or disease burning permit. Special burning permits are $1,000 a month.
  - Source: [Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (consolidated to 2017), s. 4(a), 4(b)](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-612-2007-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "an application for a Burning Permit in the form provided by the District of Lake Country."
  - Source: [Fees Bylaw 987, 2016 (consolidated), Schedule 17](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/fees-bylaw-987-2016-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "Burning Permit $20.00" … "Burning Permit for Farm assessed properties (Class 9) $30.00" … "Special Burning Permit $1,000.00/month"
  - Source: [Open Burning, Regional District of Central Okanagan, RDCO Open burning page](https://www.rdco.com/environment/open-burning/)
  - Official wording: "District of Lake Country - Apply online for a burning permit"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fire bans:** No campfires when the Ministry of Forests rates fire hazard 'high' or at any other time it deems dangerous. The Fire Chief may suspend or cancel burning. RDCO posts daily burning conditions (green, yellow, red) updated about 8 a.m.; Outdoor Burning Hotline 1-855-262-2876.
  - Source: [Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (consolidated to 2017), s. 3, 8(a)](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-612-2007-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "No campfires will be allowed when the fire hazard is rated as “high”" … "may withhold, suspend or cancel any burning"
  - Source: [Open Burning, Regional District of Central Okanagan, RDCO Open burning page](https://www.rdco.com/environment/open-burning/)
  - Official wording: "Current conditions are updated daily at approximately 8 a.m." … "Outdoor Burning Hotline 1-855-262-2876"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Instead of burning:** Curbside yard waste cart, collected every other week March 1 to December 31, or haul it to the Glenmore Landfill or the Asquith Road Transfer Station (fees apply).
  - Source: [Yard Waste, Regional District of Central Okanagan, RDCO Yard waste page](https://www.rdco.com/living-here/waste-and-recycling/yard-waste/)
  - Official wording: "Yard waste is collected every other week from March 1 to December 31." … "Haul extra yard waste to the Glenmore Landfill or the Asquith Road Transfer Station. Fees apply."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice $100 ($50 if paid within 14 days, $125 if paid after 28 days) for an unauthorized campfire or open burning without a permit. Municipal ticket $100 ($50 if paid within 30 days). Court fine under the bylaw $100 to $2,000.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 760, 2010 (consolidated), Schedule A.9](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/bylaw-notice-enforcement-bylaw-760-2010-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "3 Unauthorized campfire $100.00 $50.00 $125.00 Yes" … "4(b) Open burning without approved $100.00 $50.00 $125.00 Yes"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 753, 2010 (consolidated), Schedule 10](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/municipal-ticket-information-bylaw-753-2010-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "3 Unauthorized campfire $100.00 $50.00" … "4(b) Open burning without approved permit $100.00 $50.00"
  - Source: [Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (consolidated to 2017), s. 12](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-612-2007-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "liable to a fine of not less than $100.00 and not more than $2,000.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (District of Lake Country); permit fee in Fees Bylaw 987, 2016, Schedule 17.
  - Source: [Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (consolidated to 2017), Citation s. 15](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-612-2007-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "This bylaw may be cited as “Burning Bylaw 612, 2007”."
  - Source: [Fees Bylaw 987, 2016 (consolidated), Schedule 17](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/fees-bylaw-987-2016-consolidated)
  - Official wording: "SCHEDULE 17 FIRE PREVENTION, BURNING, SAFE PREMISES FEES"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [Burning Bylaw 612](<https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-612-2007-consolidated>) allows campfires in Lake Country with the property owner's permission. A campfire is a fire for cooking, heat or light for camping or recreation. It must burn seasoned wood only, be no bigger than 1 m across and 1 m high, be watched by a competent person with equipment to stop it spreading, and be at least 3 m from anything combustible.

## Steps

1. For a campfire, check the burning conditions first. The RDCO posts daily conditions (green, yellow or red) around 8 a.m. The Outdoor Burning Hotline is 1-855-262-2876.
2. For open burning of prunings, apply to the District for a permit online. The fee is $20 ($30 for farm-assessed properties).
3. Burn only on a property of 1 hectare (2.5 acres) or more, from October 1 to April 30, between 7 a.m. and sunset.
4. Keep the pile no bigger than 2 m high by 3 m across and 30 m from property lines and buildings, and supervise it at all times.

## Good to know

- Open burning is not allowed for grass, leaves, weeds or garden waste. Only dry prunings, branches, trunks and stumps from your own parcel may be burned. Burn only when the Venting Index is "Good". Stumps over 20 cm need two years of drying.
- No campfires when the Ministry of Forests rates fire hazard high or at any other time it deems dangerous. The Fire Chief may suspend or cancel burning. Provincial bans were not checked.
- Burning in an incinerator, burning barrel or outdoor fireplace with a flue is banned. The bylaw does not mention fire pits or chimineas by name.
- Instead of burning, use the yard waste cart or take it to the Glenmore Landfill or the Asquith Road Transfer Station (fees apply).
- A bylaw notice for an unauthorized campfire or burning without a permit is $100 ($50 if paid within 14 days, $125 after 28 days). A municipal ticket is $100 ($50 if paid within 30 days). The bylaw's court fine is $100 to $2,000. If the Fire Department attends a non-compliant burn, actual costs plus 15% are billed.

## Official forms and pages

- [Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (consolidated)](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-612-2007-consolidated)
- [Open Burning, Regional District of Central Okanagan](https://www.rdco.com/environment/open-burning/)

## Related questions

- [Lake Country fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/fireworks.md)
- [Lake Country yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/yard-waste.md)
- [Lake Country bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/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)
- [Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/backyard-fire.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/backyard-fire.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/backyard-fire.md)
- [West Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/backyard-fire.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/backyard-fire.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (consolidated to 2017), District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-612-2007-consolidated) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees Bylaw 987, 2016 (consolidated), District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/fees-bylaw-987-2016-consolidated) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Open Burning, Regional District of Central Okanagan](https://www.rdco.com/environment/open-burning/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Yard Waste, Regional District of Central Okanagan](https://www.rdco.com/living-here/waste-and-recycling/yard-waste/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 760, 2010 (consolidated), District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/bylaw-notice-enforcement-bylaw-760-2010-consolidated) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 753, 2010 (consolidated), District of Lake Country](https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/municipal-ticket-information-bylaw-753-2010-consolidated) (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 Lake Country. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/backyard-fire/_