---
title: Lillooet backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Lillooet?"
place: Lillooet, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/lillooet
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Lillooet
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lillooet/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lillooet/backyard-fire.json"
---

# Lillooet backyard fire and burning rules

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

**Short answer:** In Lillooet, a small campfire (0.5 m high by 0.5 m across) needs no permit, subject to drought hazard conditions. Burning yard waste needs a burning permit from the Fire Chief, and only in set periods. Every permit is suspended during a burning ban.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Lillooet, https://www.lillooet.ca)  
**Cost:** No burning permit fee is listed in the Fire Bylaw or the Fees and Charges Bylaw. Fine for burning without a permit: $250 bylaw notice ($125 if paid within 14 days; $500 if paid late). Burning during a ban: $500 (see Good to know).  
**How long:** Permit periods: January 1 to May 15 and October 15 to December 31. A permit lasts no more than 72 hours, with 15 days between burns on the same parcel.  
**Where:**
- In person: District Office, Municipal Hall, 615 Main Street, Lillooet, BC (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Phone: District Office, 250-256-4289

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** No permit needed for a campfire no more than 0.5 m high by 0.5 m across for cooking, warmth or ceremony, subject to drought hazard conditions. Portable CSA- or ULC-approved campfire apparatus with a flame no higher than 15 cm, and charcoal or CSA-approved gas cooking fires, are also exempt.
  - Source: [Fire Department Establishment and Fire Prevention Bylaw 2018, No. 461, s. 30(1)](https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/88171/)
  - Official wording: "campfires of no more than 0.5m high by 0.5m in diameter for cooking food, warmth or ceremonial purposes" … "approved portable campfire apparatus with a flame height not exceed 15 centimetres" … "open cooking fires in non-combustible containers using only briquettes, charcoal or CSA-approved propane or natural gas appliances"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Burning yard waste:** Yard waste may be burned only with a burning permit, on private property, in permit periods January 1 to May 15 and October 15 to December 31 (the Fire Chief may extend or restrict them). Category 2A: one pile up to 1 m by 1 m, 5 m from structures, brush, watercourses and property lines. Category 2B: one pile up to 2 m high by 3 m wide, 15 m from structures, 10 m from property lines.
  - Source: [Fire Department Establishment and Fire Prevention Bylaw 2018, No. 461, ss. 29(2), 31(1), 31(6)-(7)](https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/88171/)
  - Official wording: "Open burning under permit will be issued between January 1 to May 15 and October 15 to December 31 in a calendar year." … "Open burning is only permitted on private property." … "a burning pile shall be not less than 5 metres from any combustible structure or material" … "a burning pile shall be not less than 15 metres from any combustible structure or material"
  - Source: [Fire Department Establishment and Fire Prevention Bylaw 2018, No. 461, Schedule C](https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/88171/)
  - Official wording: "Category 2A: burning of yard waste materials on property" … "One (1) burning pile no larger than one (1) metre in height and one (1) metre in width" … "One burning pile no larger than two (2) metres in height and three (3) metres in width"
  - Source: [Garbage Collection and Regulation Bylaw No. 2024-002 (consolidated to January 21, 2025), s. 3(j)](https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/96234/)
  - Official wording: "Garden Refuse is burnable with a valid seasonal burning permit obtained from the District"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Permit:** Yes. A burning permit issued by the Fire Chief, applied for on the Schedule C form. The Garbage Bylaw calls it a seasonal burning permit obtained from the District.
  - Source: [Fire Department Establishment and Fire Prevention Bylaw 2018, No. 461, ss. 29(1), 31(2), Schedule C](https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/88171/)
  - Official wording: "No open burning of any kind is permitted during any period without a permit issued by the Fire Chief." … "Every application for a burning permit shall be made in the form as prescribed by Schedule"
  - Source: [Garbage Collection and Regulation Bylaw No. 2024-002 (consolidated to January 21, 2025), s. 3(j)](https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/96234/)
  - Official wording: "valid seasonal burning permit obtained from the District"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fire bans:** Every burning permit is suspended while an open burning ban from the District or a fire protection agency is in effect. The District says to consult the local fire hazard and the provincial website for current fire bans.
  - Source: [Fire Department Establishment and Fire Prevention Bylaw 2018, No. 461, s. 31(4)](https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/88171/)
  - Official wording: "is suspended when an open burning ban, issued by the District or a fire protection agency having jurisdiction, is in effect"
  - Source: [Building Permits — Lillooet, Local Construction Information, Open Burning](https://www.lillooet.ca/building-permits)
  - Official wording: "Please consult the local fire hazard and the provincial website for current fire bans."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Instead of burning:** Garden waste (grass, weeds, flower clippings) goes to the Lillooet Landfill & Recycling Centre at no charge. Chipped wood waste is no charge; unchipped wood waste such as branches and stumps is $4 minimum or $40 per tonne. The garbage receptacle may not be used for garden refuse.
  - Source: [Lillooet Landfill tipping fees 2026, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, Organic Waste](https://www.slrd.bc.ca/media/file/llf-tipping-fees-2026)
  - Official wording: "Garden Waste No charge" … "E.g. grass, weeds, flower clippings" … "Chipped Wood Waste No charge" … "Unchipped Wood Waste Minimum charge $4.00"
  - Source: [Garbage Collection and Regulation Bylaw No. 2024-002 (consolidated to January 21, 2025), s. 3(h), Definitions](https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/96234/)
  - Official wording: "No person shall place any Rubbish in a Garbage Receptacle." … "includes Ashes, garden refuse, Trade Waste, wood waste"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: burning without a permit $250 ($125 if paid within 14 days; $500 late). Not following burning conditions $250. Failing to comply with a burning ban $500 in the Bylaw Notice schedule but $1,000 in the Fire Bylaw schedule. Burning garbage or rubbish $300 ($150 early; $400 late). (Sources differ: The Fire Bylaw's own Schedule D lists the burning-ban fine as $1,000 and the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw lists $500; the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw says it prevails. Other burning amounts match.)
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2021-002, consolidated to March 24, 2026, Schedule 7, ss. 29(1), 31(4), 31(5)](https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/96235/)
  - Official wording: "Starting or 29(1) $250 $125 $500" … "Failure to comply 31(4) $500 $500 $500" … "Failure to follow 31(5) $250 $125 $500"
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2021-002, consolidated to March 24, 2026, Schedule 8, s. 3(j)](https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/96235/)
  - Official wording: "Burning of Garbage or 3.j. $300 $150 $400"
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2021-002, consolidated to March 24, 2026, s. 11.0.3](https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/96235/)
  - Official wording: "Wherever this Bylaw sets out fines with respect to other District bylaws and such other bylaws contain similar fines, the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw shall prevail."
  - Source: [Fire Department Establishment and Fire Prevention Bylaw 2018, No. 461, Schedule D](https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/88171/)
  - Official wording: "Failure to comply to an open fire burning ban" … "38(9) $1000.00 $250"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Fire Department Establishment and Fire Prevention Bylaw 2018, No. 461 (Part 4, Open Fires). Burning of garden refuse is also covered by Garbage Collection and Regulation Bylaw No. 2024-002, s. 3(j).
  - Source: [Fire Department Establishment and Fire Prevention Bylaw 2018, No. 461, Part 4](https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/88171/)
  - Official wording: "Lillooet Fire Department Establishment and Fire Prevention Bylaw 2018, No. 461"
  - Source: [Garbage Collection and Regulation Bylaw No. 2024-002 (consolidated to January 21, 2025), s. 3(j)](https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/96234/)
  - Official wording: "Garbage Collection and Regulation Bylaw No. 2024-002"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

Open fires are covered by Part 4 of the [Fire Department Establishment and Fire Prevention Bylaw 2018, No. 461](<https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/88171/>). No permit is needed for a campfire no more than 0.5 m high by 0.5 m across for cooking, warmth or ceremony, subject to drought hazard conditions. Portable CSA- or ULC-approved campfire apparatus with a flame no higher than 15 cm, and charcoal or CSA-approved gas cooking fires, are also exempt. Burning yard waste needs a burning permit issued by the Fire Chief, applied for on the bylaw's Schedule C form.

## Steps

1. Check the current fire ban before you burn. The District says to consult the local fire hazard and the provincial website for current bans.
2. Apply for a burning permit on the Schedule C form. The pages we read do not say where to apply, so ask the District Office, 250-256-4289.
3. Burn only in a permit period (January 1 to May 15 or October 15 to December 31; the Fire Chief may extend or restrict them), on private property.

## Good to know

- Category 2A: one pile up to 1 m by 1 m, 5 m from structures, brush, watercourses and property lines. Category 2B: one pile up to 2 m high by 3 m wide, 15 m from structures and 10 m from property lines.
- Permit conditions include: permit holder 18 or older and present; burning not before 7:00 a.m. and fully out by 10:00 p.m.; no burning when the Ventilation Index is under 55; no prohibited materials; neighbours notified; 500 m from schools in session and hospitals.
- Every burning permit is suspended while an open burning ban from the District or a fire protection agency is in effect.
- Garden waste (grass, weeds, flower clippings) goes to the Lillooet Landfill & Recycling Centre at no charge. Unchipped wood waste is $4 minimum or $40 per tonne. See the yard waste answer.
- Bylaw notice: burning without a permit $250 ($125 if paid within 14 days; $500 if paid late); not following burning conditions $250; burning garbage or rubbish $300 ($150 early; $400 late).
- Failing to comply with a burning ban is $500 in the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, but the Fire Bylaw's own schedule says $1,000. The Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw says it prevails, but check the amount on your notice.

## Official forms and pages

- [Fire Department Establishment and Fire Prevention Bylaw 2018, No. 461 (PDF)](https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/88171/)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2021-002, consolidated to March 24, 2026 (PDF)](https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/96235/)
- [Lillooet Landfill tipping fees 2026, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (PDF)](https://www.slrd.bc.ca/media/file/llf-tipping-fees-2026)

## Related questions

- [Lillooet fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lillooet/fireworks.md)
- [Lillooet yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lillooet/yard-waste.md)
- [Lillooet bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lillooet/bylaw-fines.md)
- [Lillooet garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lillooet/garbage-collection.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire.md)
- [Ashcroft](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ashcroft/backyard-fire.md)
- [Cache Creek](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cache-creek/backyard-fire.md)
- [Logan Lake](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/logan-lake/backyard-fire.md)
- [Lytton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lytton/backyard-fire.md)
- [Pemberton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pemberton/backyard-fire.md)
- [Whistler](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/whistler/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Fire Department Establishment and Fire Prevention Bylaw 2018, No. 461 (PDF)](https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/88171/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2021-002, consolidated to March 24, 2026 (PDF)](https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/96235/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Garbage Collection and Regulation Bylaw No. 2024-002 (consolidated to January 21, 2025) (PDF)](https://lillooet.civicweb.net/document/96234/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Lillooet Landfill tipping fees 2026, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (PDF)](https://www.slrd.bc.ca/media/file/llf-tipping-fees-2026) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Lillooet and Area Facilities, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District](https://www.slrd.bc.ca/services/recycling-composting-waste-landfill/recycling-waste-centres/lillooet-and-area-facilities) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Contact Us, District of Lillooet](https://www.lillooet.ca/contact-us) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Permits &mdash; Lillooet](https://www.lillooet.ca/building-permits) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Lillooet. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lillooet/backyard-fire/_