---
title: Nelson backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Nelson?"
place: Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/nelson
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Nelson
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/backyard-fire.json"
---

# Nelson backyard fire and burning rules

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

**Short answer:** Generally no. Nelson does not allow campfires, including in backyard fireplaces, and open burning is not allowed except under a Fire Chief permit. CSA-rated propane or natural gas appliances are the exception. The permit costs $10, and burning without one is a $500 bylaw notice.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Nelson, https://www.nelson.ca)  
**Cost:** Permit $10 (cash or cheque at the fire hall). Bylaw notices: open-air burning $500 ($450 if paid within 14 days; $500 after 28 days); burning household waste $75 ($60; $150). Burning without a required permit also carries a fee for service of $250 the first time and $500 the second time.  
**How long:** The Fire Chief may set up to two burn periods a year (usually spring); an opening is not guaranteed each year.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Nelson Fire Hall, 250-352-3103
- Online: City alerts (check for notices; the City pages read gave no page for current fire bans), https://www.nelson.ca/AlertCenter.aspx

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Not allowed. Per the Fire Department FAQ, campfires are not allowed in the city, including in manufactured appliances and backyard fireplaces. Exception: CSA-rated, unmodified propane or natural gas appliances. Open fires need a permit; the Fire Chief may issue a campfire permit (fire no bigger than 0.5 m wide and high) at the Chief's discretion.
  - Source: [Fire and Rescue Services FAQs, Fire & Rescue FAQ](https://www.nelson.ca/m/faq?cat=21)
  - Official wording: "Campfires are not allowed within the city limits, including fires within manufactured appliances and backyard fireplaces." … "Campfires fueled by propane or natural gas are permitted as long as the appliance is CSA-rated and unmodified."
  - Source: [Fire Regulation and Prevention Bylaw 3268, 2014 (consolidation revised June 7, 2016), s. 1, 5.6, 5.7](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/18081)
  - Official wording: "a contained fire that is no greater than 0.5 meters (1.5 ft.) in diameter and 0.5 meters (1.5 ft.) in height" … "for any purpose without a permit under this Bylaw, except for the following:" … "the Fire Chief may issue a permit to allow the burning of clean, dry, solid and untreated wood and Woody Debris in the open air for the following purposes:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Burning yard waste:** Generally not allowed. The Fire Chief may set up to two periods a year (usually spring) when owners can get a permit to burn clean, dry, untreated woody debris from their own land. Conditions: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., piles no larger than 1.5 m wide and 1 m high, 5 m from buildings, proof of fire insurance. Yard waste and household refuse may never be burned.
  - Source: [Fire and Rescue Services FAQs, Fire & Rescue FAQ](https://www.nelson.ca/m/faq?cat=21)
  - Official wording: "Generally, no, backyard burning is not allowed."
  - Source: [Fire Regulation and Prevention Bylaw 3268, 2014 (consolidation revised June 7, 2016), s. 5.10, 5.12](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/18081)
  - Official wording: "stipulate two optimum periods per year during which the Fire Chief may issue a permit to an Owner or Occupant" … "burning may only be carried out during the day between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.;" … "no pile of burning Woody Debris may exceed 1.5 metres in diameter or 1 metre in height;" … "the Owner or Occupant must provide proof of fire insurance" … "No person shall burn, indoors or in the open air, any refuse that originates from residential, light industrial, commercial, institutional, demolition or construction sources including, without limitation, any household waste or Yard Waste."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit:** Yes, from the Fire Chief. During an opening, apply at the Fire Hall with a copy of your home insurance. The permit costs $10 (cash or cheque at the fire hall). Call the fire hall before lighting. Fire Hall 250-352-3103.
  - Source: [Fire and Rescue Services FAQs, Fire & Rescue FAQ](https://www.nelson.ca/m/faq?cat=21)
  - Official wording: "citizens must come to the Fire Hall with a copy of their home insurance to apply for a temporary burn permit." … "There is a $10 fee for the permit, payable by cash or cheque at the fire hall." … "For more information, please call 250-352-3103."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule B, Schedule B, permits](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/6404)
  - Official wording: "5.10 Burning Woody Debris $10.00" … "5.7 Outdoor Wood Fire (including Special Events) $10.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fire bans:** The Fire Chief may order a total ban on burning in the open air at any time for any duration, and may suspend, cancel or restrict permits.
  - Source: [Fire Regulation and Prevention Bylaw 3268, 2014 (consolidation revised June 7, 2016), s. 5.11](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/18081)
  - Official wording: "order a total ban on burning in the open air at any time and for any duration; and"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Instead of burning:** Nelson has no curbside yard waste collection described. Take yard and garden waste to the RDCK Grohman Narrows (Nelson) Transfer Station, 1201 Insight Drive; the fee is waived in May and October only.
  - Source: [Yard and Garden Waste, Seasonal Free Tipping, RDCK](https://rdck.ca/environmental-service/environmental-services/waste-recycling/household-hazardous-waste-round-up/yard-garden-waste-seasonal-free-tipping/)
  - Official wording: "During the months of May and October (only) the following Resource Recovery Facilities accept Yard & Garden waste for FREE:" … "Grohman Narrows (Nelson) Transfer Station"
  - Source: [Resource Recovery User Guide, Central Sub-Region, Hours of Operation](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Bylaw3065_2025-RRUserGuide-Brochure-Central_Effective_2026-04-01.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Grohman Narrows (Nelson) Transfer Sta on and Recycling Depot (SATELLITE)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: open-air burning $500 ($450 within 14 days; $500 after 28 days). Not following outdoor wood fire or woody debris burning conditions $500. Burning household waste $75 ($60; $150). Burning without a required permit also carries a fee for service: $250 first time, $500 second time.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 3195, Schedule A, Schedule A, Fire Regulation and Prevention](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/38996)
  - Official wording: "5.4 Open Air Burning 500 450 500 No" … "Burn residential materials" … "5.12 75 60 150 No"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule B, Schedule B, costs](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/6404)
  - Official wording: "Burning any material without the required" … "First instance: $250.00" … "Second instance: $500.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Fire Regulation and Prevention Bylaw No. 3268, 2014 (section 5).
  - Source: [Fire Regulation and Prevention Bylaw 3268, 2014 (consolidation revised June 7, 2016), Citation](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/18081)
  - Official wording: "Fire Regulation and Prevention Bylaw No. 3268, 2014"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Fire Regulation and Prevention Bylaw 3268](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/18081), open fires need a permit from the Fire Chief. The Fire Department FAQ says campfires are not allowed in the city, including in manufactured appliances and backyard fireplaces. The exception is a CSA-rated, unmodified propane or natural gas appliance. The Fire Chief may issue a campfire permit at the Chief's discretion, for a fire no bigger than 0.5 m wide and high. Barbecues for cooking and outdoor propane heaters are exempt.

Burning yard waste or woody debris is generally not allowed. The Fire Chief may set up to two periods a year when owners can get a permit to burn clean, dry, untreated woody debris from their own land.

## Steps

1. Wait for the Fire Chief to open a burn period. It is not a guaranteed annual occurrence.
2. Apply at the Fire Hall with a copy of your home insurance. The permit is $10 (cash or cheque).
3. Phone the Fire Hall at 250-352-3103 before lighting.

## Good to know

- Woody debris burn conditions: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., piles no larger than 1.5 m wide and 1 m high, and 5 m from buildings. Yard waste and household refuse may never be burned.
- Campfire permit conditions include a competent person present, 5 m from forest land, buildings and combustibles, no accelerants, and no burning when unsafe or when the air quality venting index is poor.
- The Fire Chief may order a total ban on burning in the open air at any time and may suspend, cancel or restrict permits. The City's alerts page is a place to look, but it showed no fire ban when checked, and provincial bans were not read.
- Instead of burning, take yard and garden waste to the RDCK Grohman Narrows Transfer Station (see the yard waste answer).
- Nelson uses bylaw notices only.

## What you'll need

- Copy of your home insurance (proof of fire insurance), to apply for a woody debris burn permit

## Official forms and pages

- [Fire Regulation and Prevention Bylaw 3268 (PDF)](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/18081)
- [Fire and Rescue Services FAQs](https://www.nelson.ca/m/faq?cat=21)

## Related questions

- [Nelson fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/fireworks.md)
- [Nelson bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/bylaw-fines.md)
- [Nelson yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/yard-waste.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire.md)
- [Castlegar](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/backyard-fire.md)
- [Salmo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmo/backyard-fire.md)
- [Fruitvale](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/backyard-fire.md)
- [Montrose](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/montrose/backyard-fire.md)
- [Trail](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/trail/backyard-fire.md)
- [Warfield](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/warfield/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Fire and Rescue Services FAQs, City of Nelson](https://www.nelson.ca/m/faq?cat=21) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fire Regulation and Prevention Bylaw 3268, 2014 (consolidation revised June 7, 2016) (PDF)](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/18081) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule B (PDF)](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/6404) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 3195, Schedule A (PDF)](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/38996) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Yard and Garden Waste, Seasonal Free Tipping, RDCK](https://rdck.ca/environmental-service/environmental-services/waste-recycling/household-hazardous-waste-round-up/yard-garden-waste-seasonal-free-tipping/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Resource Recovery User Guide, Central Sub-Region](https://www.rdck.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Bylaw3065_2025-RRUserGuide-Brochure-Central_Effective_2026-04-01.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 City of Nelson. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/backyard-fire/_