Maple Ridge backyard fire and burning rules

Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste?

Maple Ridge, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In Maple Ridge, backyard burning of yard waste needs a $75 City burn permit. It is allowed only in the "Open to Burning" area, from April 15 to May 15 and October 15 to November 15, in daylight. Properties in the "Closed to Burning" area may not have any wood-burning fire.

Key facts

Backyard campfires	Only in the 'Open to Burning' area; properties in the 'Closed to Burning' area may not have any wood-burning fire. The City says the fire needs a valid permit; the bylaw sets none for recreational fires. A campfire may be no bigger than 0.5 m high and wide, 15 m from buildings and wires, watched by an adult (19+), with a hose and shovel.Sources differ: The City pages say all fires need a valid permit; the bylaw's recreational fire section (s. 15-16) sets no permit, and its list of permit-free fires (s. 6) does not include campfires. Both are shown.Fire Bans and Restrictions, Category 1 Campfire Specifications; Burn Permits and Backyard Burning, Can You Burn on Your Property?; Outdoor Burning Regulation Bylaw, s. 15, 16 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Can’t be larger than 0.5 metre in height and 0.5 metre in width, Must not be within 15 metres of any building, structure, overhead wires or cables Fires are only permitted on properties designated “Open to Burn” and must have a valid permit. Properties located in the “Closed to Burning” area are not permitted any type of wood burning fires, including open pit campfires or outdoor wood burning appliances Recreational Fires are only allowed within the area marked “Area Open to Burning” within fifteen (15) metres of any building, structure, overhead wires or
Burning yard waste	Backyard burning of leaves, prunings and branches grown on the property needs a permit and is allowed only in the 'Open to Burning' area, April 15 to May 15 and October 15 to November 15, in daylight hours, weather permitting. Fire no larger than 2 m high or wide; 15 m from buildings, wires and forest edge; watched by an adult (19+) with hose and shovel. No material from elsewhere, no lumber, no stumps or branches over 10 cm.Burn Permits and Backyard Burning, Permit Purchasing / What Can I Burn?; Outdoor Burning Regulation Bylaw, s. 3, 5(c), 13, 14 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Maple Ridge permits allows backyard burning with a permit during spring and fall, weather permitting. Fires should not be larger than 2 metres high or 2 metres in diameter Burning can only be conducted during daylight hours Stumps or tree branches larger than 10 cm in diameter “Backyard Fire” is an outdoor fire where garden refuse such as leaves, prunings and small burn, in an outdoor fire, material brought from another location; is valid for the period of April 15th to May 15th or for the unless a person nineteen (19) years of age or older is, at all times, present at
Permit	Yes. A burn permit costs $75 per property, non-refundable, and may be revoked without notice (fire ban, unsafe conditions or breach of conditions). Buy online or in person at City Hall Revenue Services, 11995 Haney Place. Permits are sold from early April to May 15 and from early October to November 15.Sources differ: Outdoor Burning Regulation Bylaw s. 13 (1997) still says $25; the Fees & Charges Bylaw No. 7575-2019 (consolidated to June 30, 2026) and the City page both say $75. The City page says fees were updated in December 2025.Burn Permits and Backyard Burning, Pricing; Where to Buy; Fees and Charges (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 7575-2019, Permitting Fees; Outdoor Burning Regulation Bylaw, s. 13 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A burn permit costs $75.00. Permits are non-refundable and may be revoked without notice Permits may be purchased online at the link below, or in person at the City Hall Revenue Services Department at 11995 Haney Place. Open Air Burning Permit (per property of any type) $75.00 costs Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00), payable to the District.
Fire bans	Maple Ridge Fire Rescue issues bans in line with the Coastal Fire Centre. Check the City's Fire Bans & Restrictions page (it said no bans were in effect when last updated October 23, 2026). Under a Category 2 or 3 ban, fireworks, burn barrels and similar are also banned. Permits may be revoked.Fire Bans and Restrictions, Fire bans · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Bans are issued by Maple Ridge Fire Rescue and align with regional requirements from the Coastal Fire Centre. There are currently no fire bans in effect in Maple Ridge. Under a Category 2 or 3 Fire Ban, the following are also prohibited:
Instead of burning	Grass clippings, branches and leaves can be dropped off at the Maple Ridge Recycling and Waste Centre, 10092 236 Street (tipping fees apply).Waste and Recycling Services, Yard & Garden Trimmings · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Residents can drop off grass clippings, branches, and leaves at the Maple Ridge Recycling and Waste Centre. Tipping fees apply; check the Metro Vancouver website for details.
Fine	Bylaw notice: burning without a permit $200 ($150 within 14 days, $250 after 28 days); unattended or after-dark backyard fire $200; recreational fire contrary to the bylaw or unattended $100; noxious material $450; fire during a closure $450. Municipal ticket: outdoor fire $1,000, no permit $200, noxious material $500, closure $500. Fire ban violations: municipal fines up to $1,000.Bylaw Notice Enforcement (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 7626-2020, Schedule A, Schedule A, Part 16; Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 6929-2012 (Consolidated), Schedule 16; Fire Bans and Restrictions, Fines; Outdoor Burning Regulation Bylaw, s. 23 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 5535-1997 5(d) No permit $200 $150 $250 No 5535-1997 14(b) Unattended Backyard Fire $200 $150 $250 No 5535-1997 19 Outdoor fire during Closure $450 $400 $500 No Outdoor fire 5(a) $1000 Burn noxious material 5(b) $500 No permit 5(d) $200 Outdoor fire during Closure 19 $500 Municipal fines of up to $1000 may be issued for violation of a fire ban. shall be liable to a fine of not less than $500.00 and not
Bylaw	Maple Ridge Outdoor Burning Regulation By-law No. 5535-1997 (consolidated with Amending Bylaw No. 6363-2005)Outdoor Burning Regulation Bylaw, citation · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Maple Ridge Outdoor Burning Regulation By-law No. 5535-1997

How it works

Backyard burning of leaves, prunings and branches grown on the property needs a permit under the Outdoor Burning Regulation By-law No. 5535-1997. It is allowed only in the "Open to Burning" area, in daylight hours, weather permitting. The bylaw also bans outdoor fires unless the ventilation index is forecast as "good" and lets the Fire Chief suspend burning. A permit may be revoked without notice (fire ban, unsafe conditions or breach of conditions).

Steps

Check the City's "Open to Burning" map for your property.
Buy a $75 permit online or in person at City Hall Revenue Services, 11995 Haney Place.
Burn only on the allowed dates and when no fire ban is in effect. Check the City's Fire Bans and Restrictions page first.

Good to know

Open burning limits: no larger than 2 m high or wide; 15 m from buildings, wires and forest edge; watched by an adult (19+) with a hose and shovel. No material from elsewhere, no lumber, no stumps or branches over 10 cm.
Campfires: allowed only in the "Open to Burning" area. They may be no bigger than 0.5 m high and wide, 15 m from buildings and wires, watched by an adult (19+), with a hose and shovel. The City says a valid permit is needed, but the bylaw's recreational fire section sets none. Confirm with Fire Rescue.
The fee: the old bylaw still says $25; the Fees & Charges Bylaw and the City page say $75.
Under a Category 2 or 3 ban, fireworks and burn barrels are also banned. Maple Ridge Fire Rescue issues bans in line with the Coastal Fire Centre.
Instead of burning, drop grass clippings, branches and leaves at the Maple Ridge Recycling and Waste Centre, 10092 236 Street (tipping fees apply).
Bylaw notices: burning without a permit $200 ($150 within 14 days, $250 after 28 days); unattended or after-dark backyard fire $200; recreational fire contrary to the bylaw or unattended $100; noxious material $450; fire during a closure $450. Municipal tickets: outdoor fire $1,000; no permit $200; noxious material $500; closure $500. Fire ban violations: municipal fines up to $1,000.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Pitt Meadows · Port Coquitlam · Coquitlam · Anmore · Township of Langley · Port Moody

Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Fire Bans and Restrictions, City of Maple Ridge (read 2026-11-05)
Burn Permits and Backyard Burning, City of Maple Ridge (read 2026-11-05)
Outdoor Burning Regulation Bylaw (PDF), City of Maple Ridge (read 2026-11-05)
Fees and Charges (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 7575-2019 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Waste and Recycling Services, City of Maple Ridge (read 2026-11-05)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 7626-2020, Schedule A (read 2026-11-05)
Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 6929-2012 (Consolidated) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)

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