{"title":"Merritt backyard fire and burning rules","question":"Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste?","slug":"backyard-fire","place":{"path":"ca/bc/merritt","name":"Merritt","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"bylaws-and-complaints","name":"Bylaws, noise and complaints"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Merritt","url":"https://www.merritt.ca"},"short_answer":"In the City of Merritt, a backyard campfire needs a Small Confined Fire Permit for your parcel, and fires are allowed only when open fires are allowed in the Kamloops Fire Centre. Burning leaves, grass or yard waste is not allowed.","aliases":[],"cost":"Permit: $150 for the first application and inspection, $50 a year to renew (Fees Bylaw 2386). Fire Bylaw 2272 says $25, but the newer Fees Bylaw applies.","how_long":"A permit expires on December 31 each year and is not valid during a fire ban.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Small Confined Fire Permits page","value":"https://www.merritt.ca/small-confined-fire-permits/"},{"type":"in_person","label":"City Hall (file the application)","value":"2185 Voght Street, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m."},{"type":"phone","label":"Merritt Fire Rescue Department","value":"250-378-5626"}],"documents":["Small Confined Fire Permit application (or renewal form)"],"forms":[{"title":"Small Confined Fire Permit Application (Campfire) (PDF)","url":"http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/New-Burning-Permit-2026.pdf"},{"title":"Small Confined Fire Permit Renewal (Campfire) (PDF)","url":"http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Fire-Permit-Renewal-2026.pdf"},{"title":"Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw 2272 (PDF)","url":"http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2272_fire_safety_regulations_0.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"fireworks","title":"Merritt fireworks rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/fireworks/"},{"slug":"yard-waste","title":"Merritt yard waste collection and drop-off","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/yard-waste/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/logan-lake","name":"Logan Lake","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/logan-lake/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lytton","name":"Lytton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lytton/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kamloops","name":"Kamloops","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/princeton","name":"Princeton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/ashcroft","name":"Ashcroft","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ashcroft/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/peachland","name":"Peachland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/backyard-fire/"}],"topic":{"title":"Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire/"},"facts":{"campfires":{"label":"Backyard campfires","value":"Only with a permit for the parcel, when open fires are allowed in the Kamloops Fire Centre, never on City land. The bylaw names zones R1 Single Family, R2 Low Density and R8 Large Lot, which no longer match the Zoning Bylaw, so confirm your zone. One pile up to 0.5 m each way, 4 m from buildings and lot lines, 3 m from combustibles, 4 hours a day, 6 a.m. to midnight.","short":"Only with a permit, one pile up to 0.5 m","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2272_fire_safety_regulations_0.pdf","title":"Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw 2272, 2019 (PDF), City of Merritt","section":"s. 13.1(a)","quotes":["Small Confined Fires and the use of Outdoor Fireplaces are permitted when allowed in the Kamloops Fire Centre","Small Confined Fires and Outdoor Fireplaces are only allowed on private property zoned Single Family Residential (R1) or Low Density Residential (R2), or Large Lot Residential (R8)","one pile no larger than 0.5 meters in height, 0.5 meters in width and 0.5 meters in length","Any fire must be a minimum of 4 meters from buildings and property lines, and 3 metres from any combustible material","Fires may only burn for a maximum of four hours per day, and between the hours of 6am and midnight","Please confirm zoning for your property prior to paying the application fee"]},{"url":"https://www.merritt.ca/small-confined-fire-permits/","title":"Small Confined Fire Permits, City of Merritt","section":"Fire Permits Required","quotes":["not exceeding 0.5 metres in height and at least 4 meters from any structure or property line"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"open_burning":{"label":"Burning yard waste","value":"Not allowed. The bylaw bans open burning of any kind except small confined fires, community event or ritual permits, Fire Chief-approved interface fuel reduction burns (50 m from structures; spring cleanup and pruning debris not allowed), and Fire Chief permits on AR1 agricultural land. Leaves, grass and grass cuttings are prohibited burning materials.","short":"No, with limited exceptions","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2272_fire_safety_regulations_0.pdf","title":"Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw 2272, 2019 (PDF), City of Merritt","section":"s. 13.1, definitions","quotes":["No open burning of any kind will be permitted during any period with the exception of the following:","Burning of spring cleanup materials and/or pruning debris is not permitted.","leaves, grass and grass cuttings","The Fire Chief may grant the occupier of property zoned AR1 (Agricultural) permission for open burning"]},{"url":"https://www.merritt.ca/wildfire/","title":"Wildfire, City of Merritt","section":"Are There Any Fire Bans","quotes":["Category 2 and 3 open fires are never permitted in Merritt"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permit":{"label":"Permit","value":"Yes. A permit is needed for each parcel, from Merritt Fire Rescue (apply at City Hall; inspection required). Fee: $150 for the first application and inspection, $50 a year to renew. Permits expire December 31 each year and are not valid during a fire ban.","short":"Yes, $150 first year, $50 to renew","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.merritt.ca/small-confined-fire-permits/","title":"Small Confined Fire Permits, City of Merritt","section":"Fire Permits Required","quotes":["No fire may be lit unless a Permit has been issued for the parcel of land.","The annual renewal rate for 2026 remains at $50. The cost for an initial application and inspection remains at $150.","Fire Permits must be renewed annually, and expire at the end of the calendar year in December 31 each year"]},{"url":"http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Fees-and-Charges-Amendments-as-at-December-2025-CONSOLIDATED.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2386 (PDF), Schedule P, City of Merritt","section":"Schedule M","quotes":["Initial Application and Inspection $150.00 $150.00 $150.00","Annual renewal $50.00 $50.00 $50.00"]},{"url":"http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2272_fire_safety_regulations_0.pdf","title":"Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw 2272, 2019 (PDF), City of Merritt","section":"s. 13.1(a)(iii)","quotes":["upon the filing at City Hall of an application form in the form of Schedule \"D\", the payment of a non-refundable $25 fee, and a satisfactory inspection"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"Fire Bylaw 2272 s. 13.1(a)(iii) says a non-refundable $25 fee; the later Fees and Charges Bylaw 2386 (Schedule M) and the City page say $150 and $50. The Fees bylaw amount was used. The web page shows a \"January 16, 2026\" application deadline (dated notice, not used)."},"fire_bans":{"label":"Fire bans","value":"Small confined fires are only allowed when open fires are allowed in the Kamloops Fire Centre. The Fire Chief may suspend all permits without refund for as long as he sees fit. BC Wildfire Service issues open fire prohibitions by fire centre; Merritt is in the Kamloops Fire Centre, and the notices are on the BCWS website.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2272_fire_safety_regulations_0.pdf","title":"Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw 2272, 2019 (PDF), City of Merritt","section":"s. 13.1(a)(x)","quotes":["the Merritt Fire Chief may declare all Fire Permits suspended without refund, if he deems it warranted by environmental conditions"]},{"url":"https://www.merritt.ca/wildfire/","title":"Wildfire, City of Merritt","section":"Are There Any Fire Bans","quotes":["BCWS issues prohibitions on open fires by fire centre region. Merritt is part of the Kamloops Fire Centre region."]},{"url":"https://www.merritt.ca/small-confined-fire-permits/","title":"Small Confined Fire Permits, City of Merritt","section":"Fire Permits Required","quotes":["City of Merritt Fire Permits are NOT VALID during a fire ban"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"alternatives":{"label":"Instead of burning","value":"Yard waste can be taken free (residential) to the TNRD Lower Nicola Eco-Depot, 2348 Woodward Road, open daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The City also runs a free FireSmart curbside chipping program for cedar, juniper, mugo pine and conifer branches on set dates by registration.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.tnrd.ca/services/garbage-recycling/depot-services-waste-drop-off/lower-nicola-eco-depot/","title":"Lower Nicola Eco-Depot, Thompson-Nicola Regional District","section":"Accepted Materials","quotes":["Yard Waste | Residential: Free to Recycle","Address: 2348 Woodward Road"]},{"url":"https://www.merritt.ca/firesmart-chipping-program-2026/","title":"FireSmart Chipping Program 2026, City of Merritt","section":"How the Program Works","quotes":["offers free curbside pickup and chipping of flammable plant materials"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Up to $2,000 on summary conviction, and each day is a separate offence. Fire department costs may be charged to the owner. No bylaw notice amount is listed for this bylaw.","short":"Up to $2,000 on conviction","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2272_fire_safety_regulations_0.pdf","title":"Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw 2272, 2019 (PDF), City of Merritt","section":"s. 20.2-20.3","quotes":["Any person who commits an offence under this Bylaw is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars ($2000).","Each day an offence occurs shall be a separate offence."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"City of Merritt Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 2272, 2019 (s. 13); permit fees in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2386, 2024.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2272_fire_safety_regulations_0.pdf","title":"Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw 2272, 2019 (PDF), City of Merritt","section":"s. 1.1","quotes":["This Bylaw shall be cited as the “Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 2272, 2019”."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\n[Bylaw 2272](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2272_fire_safety_regulations_0.pdf) bans open burning in the City of Merritt except in a few cases. A campfire or other small confined fire is allowed only with a Small Confined Fire Permit for the parcel, and only when open fires are allowed in the Kamloops Fire Centre. BC Wildfire Service issues open fire prohibitions by fire centre, and the notices are on its website. Category 2 and 3 open fires are never permitted. Certified barbeques and portable appliances burning charcoal, gas, propane, butane or briquettes may be used for cooking.\n\n## Rules for a permitted fire\n\n- Only on private land in the zones the bylaw names (R1 \"Single Family\", R2 \"Low Density\" or R8 \"Large Lot\") or at a licensed campground. The bylaw uses older zone names that no longer match the Zoning Bylaw, so confirm your zone with the City. Never on City land.\n- Burn only dry seasoned firewood or charcoal briquettes, in one pile no bigger than 0.5 m high, wide and long, inside a non-combustible base and edging.\n- Keep it at least 4 m from buildings and property lines, and 3 m from combustible material.\n- Burn no more than four hours a day, between 6:00 a.m. and midnight, with a competent person present and extinguishing equipment on hand.\n- Apply at City Hall; an inspection of the parcel is required. The Fire Chief can suspend all permits without refund.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- The fee is $150 for the first application and inspection and $50 a year to renew. Bylaw 2272 itself says $25, but the later Fees and Charges Bylaw 2386 sets the current amounts, so confirm with the City.\n- Leaves, grass, grass cuttings, wooden pallets, lumber, plastics, paint and other waste are prohibited burning materials. Spring cleanup and pruning debris cannot be burned. For yard waste see the yard waste answer.\n- Sky lanterns and tiki torches are banned.\n- A permit is refused or revoked for a Nuisance Property and suspended while a property is Unsightly.\n- A fire that brings out the fire department can be billed to the owner. No bylaw notice amount is listed, so only court fines apply: up to $2,000, and each day is a separate offence.\n- Report a wildfire to 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 from a cell phone.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.merritt.ca/small-confined-fire-permits/","title":"Small Confined Fire Permits, City of Merritt","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2272_fire_safety_regulations_0.pdf","title":"Fire and Safety Regulations Bylaw 2272, 2019 (PDF), City of Merritt","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.merritt.ca/wildfire/","title":"Wildfire, City of Merritt","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Fees-and-Charges-Amendments-as-at-December-2025-CONSOLIDATED.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 2386 (PDF), Schedule P, City of Merritt","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.merritt.ca/contact/","title":"Contact, City of Merritt","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.tnrd.ca/services/garbage-recycling/depot-services-waste-drop-off/lower-nicola-eco-depot/","title":"Lower Nicola Eco-Depot, Thompson-Nicola Regional District","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.merritt.ca/firesmart-chipping-program-2026/","title":"FireSmart Chipping Program 2026, City of Merritt","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/backyard-fire/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/backyard-fire.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/backyard-fire.json"}}