{"title":"Mission backyard fire and burning rules","question":"Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste?","slug":"backyard-fire","place":{"path":"ca/bc/mission","name":"Mission","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 Mission","url":"https://www.mission.ca"},"short_answer":"In Mission, a recreational fire is allowed in a fire pit that meets the Burning Bylaw's rules (s. 4.4), and yard debris may be burned October to April outside the residential refuse collection area. A burning ban stops all of it: check mission.ca/fireban or call 604-820-3793 before you light anything.","aliases":["fire pit rules mission bc","burn permit mission","open burning mission bc","fire ban mission bc","campfire backyard mission"],"cost":"Fire pit permit: one-time $40 fee if the Fire Chief issues one after registration (s. 3.1(c)). Special occasion, special circumstance or ceremonial burn permit $5; free for charities and societies.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"online","label":"Burn permits (online)","value":"https://dom.burnpermits.com/"},{"type":"online","label":"Check for a fire ban","value":"https://www.mission.ca/fireban"},{"type":"phone","label":"Mission Fire Rescue Service","value":"604-820-3793"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Burning Bylaw 5962-2020 (PDF)","url":"https://www.mission.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-5962-2020pdf"},{"title":"Fire ban information, City of Mission","url":"https://www.mission.ca/fireban"},{"title":"Composting, City of Mission","url":"https://www.mission.ca/services/garbage-waste-collection/composting"}],"related":[{"slug":"fireworks","title":"Mission fireworks rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/fireworks/"},{"slug":"yard-waste","title":"Mission yard waste collection and drop-off","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/yard-waste/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/abbotsford","name":"Abbotsford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langley-township","name":"Township of Langley","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/maple-ridge","name":"Maple Ridge","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langley","name":"Langley City","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/pitt-meadows","name":"Pitt Meadows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/chilliwack","name":"Chilliwack","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/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":"Yes, in a fire pit of non-combustible material, enclosed on all sides, no side over 1 m and no higher than 0.6 m; at least 4.6 m from buildings, combustible structures or vegetation; one per parcel, only on a parcel with a dwelling; no more than six times a calendar month, only when ventilation is Good. Dry wood, adult attending.","short":"Yes, in a fire pit up to 1 m, six times a month","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.mission.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-5962-2020pdf","title":"Burning Bylaw 5962-2020 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"s. 4.4","quotes":["a fire pit shall be constructed of non-combustible material, enclosed on all sides, and shall have no linear dimension exceeding 1 meter (3.28 feet) or vertical dimension exceeding 0.60 meters (2 feet);","a fire pit shall not be located closer than 4.6 meters (15.09 feet) to any building, combustible structure,","only one fire pit is permitted on a parcel of land unless otherwise approved;","a fire pit shall only be permitted on a parcel of land containing a dwelling unit;","a fire pit shall only be used a maximum of six times per calendar month and only when the ventilation category for the day is good;","only dry wood shall be burned within a fire pit;","an adult person shall attend the pit, or be in close vicinity to the fire pit, at all times","a burn within a fire pit provided the fire and its use complies with the provisions of Section 4.4 of this Bylaw","only dry wood shall be burned within a fire pit"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"open_burning":{"label":"Burning yard waste","value":"Yard debris (leaves, grass clippings, cuttings from pruning) may be burned October to April only, on days with a Good ventilation forecast, and only on property outside the residential refuse collection area. Pile no bigger than 1 m across and 1 m high, 4.6 m from buildings and combustibles, debris from the same parcel, adult attending. Burn starts one hour after sunrise and ends by 4 p.m. or two hours before sunset, whichever is later. Not during a ban.","short":"Yes, Oct to Apr, outside refuse collection area","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.mission.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-5962-2020pdf","title":"Burning Bylaw 5962-2020 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"s. 4.5; s. 2.1 (yard debris)","quotes":["yard debris may be burned from October to April when the ventilation category is Good provided:","the property is located outside of the residential refuse collection area;","the pile of yard debris to be burned or being burned does not exceed 1 meter (3.28 feet) in diameter and 1 meter (3.28 feet) in height;","the burn starts not earlier than one hour after sunrise;","the burn ends by 4 p.m. or two hours before sunset whichever is later;","the burn is limited to yard debris derived from the parcel of land on which the burn is taking place;","leaves, grass clippings, and cuttings resulting from the pruning of shrubs and trees;"]},{"url":"https://www.mission.ca/media/file/5526-2015-solid-waste-management-bylawpdf-0","title":"Solid Waste Management Bylaw 5526-2015 (PDF)","section":"s. 2.6, 2.7","quotes":["No person within the District’s Curbside Collection Area shall burn any Garbage"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permit":{"label":"Permit","value":"The Fire Chief may issue a permit to operate a fire pit once it is registered and a one-time $40 fee is paid (s. 3.1(c)); s. 4.4 lists no registration step. Special occasion, special circumstance or ceremonial burn permit: $5; free for charities and societies. No permit is listed for s. 4.5 yard debris burns.","short":"Fire pit permit $40 one-time","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.mission.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-5962-2020pdf","title":"Burning Bylaw 5962-2020 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"s. 3.1(c)","quotes":["operate a fire pit provided the person has registered the fire pit in accordance with this Bylaw and paid the $40 one-time administration fee","All others - $5.00 per permit (effective January 1, 2022)","Charitable organizations and Societies – no charge (effective January 1, 2022)","a burn within a fire pit provided the fire and its use complies with the provisions of Section 4.4 of this Bylaw"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fire_bans":{"label":"Fire bans","value":"The Fire Chief can declare a burning ban or issue an order whenever conditions warrant, and no one may burn during a ban. A ban covers all open burning, including recreational fire pits. CSA/ULC-rated barbecues and portable propane or natural gas devices (flame under 15 cm) are still allowed on private property. Check mission.ca/fireban or call Mission Fire Rescue Service at 604-820-3793.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.mission.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-5962-2020pdf","title":"Burning Bylaw 5962-2020 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"s. 3.1(b); s. 5.3","quotes":["declare a burning ban or issue an order","No person shall burn or allow a burn to take place during a burn ban declared pursuant"]},{"url":"https://www.mission.ca/fireban","title":"Fire ban notices, City of Mission","section":"Fire Ban Takes Effect July 16","quotes":["The ban includes all recreational fire pits.","contact Mission Fire Rescue Service at 604-820-3793"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"alternatives":{"label":"Instead of burning","value":"Curbside organics collection takes yard waste weekly. The Mission Landfill takes grass clippings, leaves and moss free from Mission residents, and brush and branches for a fee. The bylaw requires considering compost, reuse and recycling before burning.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.mission.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-5962-2020pdf","title":"Burning Bylaw 5962-2020 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"s. 4.1","quotes":["every reasonable alternative to burning the debris is considered including compost, reuse, and recycling"]},{"url":"https://www.mission.ca/services/garbage-waste-collection/composting","title":"Composting, City of Mission","section":"Composting","quotes":["free drop-off of grass clippings, moss, leaves, as well as paid drop-off of brush and branches at the Mission Landfill","Mission’s residential curbside collection system includes collection of both food and yard waste."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: burn not allowed (s. 5.1) $250 ($175 within 14 days, $325 after 28 days); against permit conditions (s. 5.2) $250; during a ban (s. 5.3) $500 ($350 / $650); against an order (s. 5.6) $500. The Ticket Information Bylaw, which still names the repealed Burning Bylaw 2975-1996, lists $250 and $1,000 for ban or order.","short":"Notice $250 ($175 if paid in 14 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.mission.ca/media/file/5700-2018-bylaw-notice-enforcement-bylawpdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 5700-2018, Schedule 8 (PDF)","section":"Schedule 8","quotes":["Prohibited burn 5.1 $250 $175 $325 No","Burn contrary to conditions of permit 5.2 $250 $175 $325 No","Burn contrary to ban 5.3 $500 $350 $650 No","Burn contrary to order 5.6 $500 $350 $650 No"]},{"url":"https://www.mission.ca/media/file/2646-1993-ticket-information-bylawpdf-0","title":"Ticket Information Bylaw 2646-1993, Schedule 11 (PDF)","section":"Ticket Information Bylaw 2646-1993, Schedule 11","quotes":["Prohibited burn 5 (a) $250.00","Burn contrary to ban 5 (c) $1,000.00","Burn contrary to order 5 (f) $1,000.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"District of Mission Burning Bylaw 5962-2020","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.mission.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-5962-2020pdf","title":"Burning Bylaw 5962-2020 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"s. 1.1","quotes":["District of Mission Burning Bylaw 5962-2020"]}],"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\nThe [Burning Bylaw 5962-2020](<https://www.mission.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-5962-2020pdf>) allows a recreational fire in a fire pit under s. 4.4. The Fire Chief can declare a burning ban or issue an order whenever conditions warrant, and no one may burn during a ban. A ban covers all open burning, including fire pits. CSA/ULC-rated barbecues and portable propane or natural gas devices (flame under 15 cm) are still allowed on private property. Bans change, so check mission.ca/fireban or call Mission Fire Rescue Service at 604-820-3793.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check that there is no ban in effect.\n2. Fire pit: non-combustible material, enclosed on all sides, no side over 1 m and no higher than 0.6 m. Place it at least 4.6 m from buildings, combustible structures or vegetation. One per parcel, only on a parcel with a dwelling. Burn dry wood only, with an adult attending, no more than six times a calendar month, and only when ventilation is Good.\n3. Yard debris (leaves, grass clippings, pruning cuttings): burn October to April only, on days with a Good ventilation forecast, and only outside the residential refuse collection area. Keep the pile to 1 m across and 1 m high, 4.6 m from buildings and combustibles, with debris from the same parcel and an adult attending. The burn starts one hour after sunrise and ends by 4 p.m. or two hours before sunset, whichever is later.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Permit: the Fire Chief may issue a permit to operate a fire pit once it is registered and a one-time $40 fee is paid (s. 3.1(c)), but s. 4.4 lists no registration step. Ask Fire Rescue whether you need one. No permit is listed for yard debris burns.\n- Alternatives: curbside organics collection takes yard waste weekly, and the Mission Landfill takes grass clippings, leaves and moss free from Mission residents, and brush and branches for a fee. The bylaw requires considering compost, reuse and recycling before burning.\n- Bylaw notices: burn not allowed $250 ($175 within 14 days, $325 after 28 days); against permit conditions $250; during a ban $500 ($350 / $650); against an order $500. The Ticket Information Bylaw, which still names the repealed Burning Bylaw 2975-1996, lists $250 and $1,000 for a ban or order.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.mission.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-5962-2020pdf","title":"Burning Bylaw 5962-2020 (consolidated) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.mission.ca/fireban","title":"Fire ban notices, City of Mission","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.mission.ca/media/file/5700-2018-bylaw-notice-enforcement-bylawpdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 5700-2018, Schedule 8 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.mission.ca/media/file/2646-1993-ticket-information-bylawpdf-0","title":"Ticket Information Bylaw 2646-1993, Schedule 11 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.mission.ca/media/file/5526-2015-solid-waste-management-bylawpdf-0","title":"Solid Waste Management Bylaw 5526-2015 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.mission.ca/services/garbage-waste-collection/composting","title":"Composting, City of Mission","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/mission/backyard-fire/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/backyard-fire.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/backyard-fire.json"}}