---
title: North Cowichan backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in North Cowichan?"
place: North Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/north-cowichan
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: Municipality of North Cowichan
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/backyard-fire.json"
---

# North Cowichan backyard fire and burning rules

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

**Short answer:** In North Cowichan, a campfire in a proper fire pit needs no permit, but burning yard waste needs a free Open Burning Permit. It is allowed only March 15 to April 15 and September 15 to November 30, and not on lots of 2 acres or less inside the Urban Containment Boundary.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Municipality of North Cowichan, https://www.northcowichan.ca)  
**Cost:** Open Burning Permit: free. Fines: bylaw notice $250 for unpermitted burning ($125 if paid within 14 days) or municipal ticket $500; fire pit breaches $250 either way. The web page also says a second offence is $500 and a third $1,000.  
**How long:** A new permit is needed for each spring and fall burning window.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Bylaw Services (check before a campfire; apply for a permit), 250-746-3108
- Email: Open Burning Permit application, bylaw@northcowichan.ca
- In person: Bylaw Services, Municipal Hall, 7030 Trans-Canada Highway, North Cowichan, B.C. V9L 6A1
- Phone: Venting Index (provincial), 1-888-281-2992

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Yes. A recreational fire (campfire) in a fire pit needs no permit if the pit is non-combustible, has a tight-fitting perforated metal or wire-screen lid (openings no more than 1 cm²), is no more than 0.5 m³, is at least 2 m from a property line and 5 m from a building or flammable material, and sits on a non-combustible base. The Municipality's page adds campfires under 60 cm across are allowed if there is no fire ban, and to keep a shovel, rake and connected garden hose on hand. No open fires in the Municipal Forest Reserve.
  - Source: [Fire Protection Bylaw No. 3841, 2021, consolidated to September 14, 2026, ss. 68.1, 69 (Recreational Fire Pits)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Fire%20Protection%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall use a recreational fire pit unless it" … "be made of a noncombustible material" … "not exceed 0.5 cubic metres in volume" … "not less than 2 metres from a property line and not less than 5 metres from a" … "No permit is required for a recreational fire pit"
  - Source: [Burning, Campfires](https://www.northcowichan.ca/burning)
  - Official wording: "campfires less than 60 cm (24 inches) in diameter are permitted as long as a fire ban is not in effect for the Coastal Fire Zone" … "No open fires are permitted within North Cowichan"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Burning yard waste:** Backyard burning of yard waste is allowed only with a free Open Burning Permit, only March 15 to April 15 and September 15 to November 30, only when the Ventilation Index is 'good', and: outside the Urban Containment Boundary, or inside it only on lots larger than 2 acres. Fire must be 4 m from buildings and 10 m from property lines, daylight hours only, one hand-piled fire, smaller than 2 m high by 2 m wide, with a shovel, rake and hose on hand, and only untreated natural wood and brush from that property. Not allowed on smaller lots inside the Urban Containment Boundary. Large (Category 3) fires only outside the boundary with an air curtain incinerator. Normal farm practices are exempt.
  - Source: [Fire Protection Bylaw No. 3841, 2021, consolidated to September 14, 2026, Part 9, ss. 62-67](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Fire%20Protection%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Open Burning is permitted only when the Ventilation Index is rated as ‘good’" … "inside the Urban Containment Boundary, where the property is larger than 2 acres in size" … "4 metres from all Buildings, Structures, and combustible and flammable materials" … "fires must be smaller than 2 metres high by 2 metres wide" … "open burning takes place between March 15 through April 15, and September 15 through" … "an Air Curtain Incinerator is used"
  - Source: [Burning, Open burning](https://www.northcowichan.ca/burning)
  - Official wording: "Backyard burning is not permitted on any property within the UCB that is less than 2 acres"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit:** An Open Burning Permit is needed for any open burning (not for a recreational fire pit). The Fire Chief or delegate issues it; there is no charge. A new permit is needed for each spring and fall burning window. Apply with the Open Burning Permit Application Form (plus an agent authorization form if you do not own the property) by email to bylaw@northcowichan.ca, by mail, or in person at Bylaw Services, 7030 Trans-Canada Highway.
  - Source: [Fire Protection Bylaw No. 3841, 2021, consolidated to September 14, 2026, ss. 62-63](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Fire%20Protection%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The Fire Chief, or their delegate, may issue an Open Burning Permit"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020, Schedule A, Schedule A, item 31](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Open Burning Permit No charge"
  - Source: [Burning, How to obtain a Burning Permit](https://www.northcowichan.ca/burning)
  - Official wording: "You need a new permit for each spring and fall burning window" … "By email: bylaw@northcowichan.ca"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fire bans:** The Municipality generally follows BC Wildfire Service for bans and restrictions in the Coastal Fire Zone, but may extend a campfire ban for local conditions. Check with Bylaw Services (250-746-3108) before a campfire. Venting Index: provincial venting index web page or 1-888-281-2992. Burning outside the rules can also be fined under the provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation (up to $200,000).
  - Source: [Burning, Campfires; Venting Index](https://www.northcowichan.ca/burning)
  - Official wording: "North Cowichan looks to the BC Wildfire Services when determining whether or not fire bans and restrictions are applied" … "call 1-888-281-2992" … "up to $200,000"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Instead of burning:** Compost at home, use a wood chipper, or take yard waste free (year-round) to the Bings Creek Solid Waste Management Complex (3900 Drinkwater Road, North Cowichan) or the Peerless Road Drop-Off Depot (Ladysmith). Weekly curbside organics cart also takes yard waste (small branches).
  - Source: [Burning, Alternatives to open burning](https://www.northcowichan.ca/burning)
  - Official wording: "Compost at home" … "year-round and free of charge" … "Bings Creek Solid Waste Management Complex, 3900 Drinkwater Road"
  - Source: [Organics, kitchen and yard waste, intro](https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/curbside-collection/organics-kitchen-yard-waste)
  - Official wording: "Curbside organics collection is every week and includes both kitchen waste and yard waste"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice (Fire Protection Bylaw): unpermitted open burning $250 ($125 if paid within 14 days; $270 after 28 days); breaking the open-burning conditions (distance, size, hours, days, materials, equipment) $250; fire pit rule breaches $250. Municipal ticket: unpermitted open burning and burning-condition breaches $500; fire pit breaches $250. The web page also says a second offence is $500 and a third $1,000. (Sources differ: The Municipality's burning web page gives $250, $500 and $1,000 for first, second and third offences; neither ticket schedule shows escalating amounts. The schedules still cite the pre-Bylaw 4088 section numbers (61, 64, 68 for current 62, 65, 69).)
  - Source: [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021, Schedule A, Fire Protection Bylaw](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf)
  - Official wording: "61 Unpermitted open burning $250 $125 $270 No" … "64 (e) Fire exceeds size limit (2m wide xx 2m high) $250 $125 $270 No" … "68 (b) Fire pit without lid $250 $125 $270 Yes"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw, Schedule 2, Section 5, items 38-53](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Unpermitted open burning 61 $500" … "Fire pit without lid 68 (b) $250"
  - Source: [Burning, Alternatives](https://www.northcowichan.ca/burning)
  - Official wording: "initial fine amount $250, second offence $500, third offence $1000"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Fire Protection Bylaw No. 3841, 2021 (Part 9 Open Burning; recreational fire pits). Consolidation current to September 14, 2026.
  - Source: [Fire Protection Bylaw No. 3841, 2021, consolidated to September 14, 2026, title / amendments](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Fire%20Protection%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "CONSOLIDATION FIRE PROTECTION BYLAW Bylaw 3841 Current to September 14, 2026 Last amended on September 2, 2026"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [Fire Protection Bylaw](<https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Fire%20Protection%20Bylaw.pdf>) allows two kinds of backyard fire.

**Campfire (recreational fire pit):** no permit is needed if the pit is non-combustible, has a tight-fitting perforated metal or wire-screen lid (openings no more than 1 cm²), is no more than 0.5 m³, is at least 2 m from a property line and 5 m from a building or flammable material, and sits on a non-combustible base. The Municipality's page adds that campfires under 60 cm across are allowed if there is no fire ban, and to keep a shovel, rake and connected garden hose on hand. No open fires are allowed in the Municipal Forest Reserve.

**Burning yard waste (open burning):** allowed only with a free Open Burning Permit, only March 15 to April 15 and September 15 to November 30, and only when the Ventilation Index is "good". It must be outside the Urban Containment Boundary, or inside it only on lots larger than 2 acres. Fire must be 4 m from buildings and 10 m from property lines, in daylight hours only, as one hand-piled fire smaller than 2 m high by 2 m wide, with a shovel, rake and hose on hand. Burn only untreated natural wood and brush from that property. Normal farm practices are exempt.

## Steps

1. Check for a current fire ban before any fire. The Municipality generally follows BC Wildfire Service but may extend a campfire ban for local conditions. Call Bylaw Services at 250-746-3108.
2. For open burning, fill in the Open Burning Permit Application Form (plus an agent authorization form if you do not own the property). Send it to bylaw@northcowichan.ca, mail it, or bring it to Bylaw Services at 7030 Trans-Canada Highway.
3. Check the Ventilation Index on the provincial venting index web page or at 1-888-281-2992 on the day.

## Good to know

- The Municipality's page tells people to compost, use a wood chipper, or take yard waste to the CVRD's Bings Creek or Peerless Road depot. The weekly curbside organics cart also takes small branches.
- Burning outside the rules can also be fined under the provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation.
- Fines: for unpermitted open burning a bylaw notice is $250 ($125 if paid within 14 days, $270 after 28 days) and a municipal ticket is $500. Breaking the burning conditions is $250 by bylaw notice and $500 by municipal ticket. Fire pit breaches are $250 either way.
- The Municipality's web page says a second offence is $500 and a third $1,000, and the ticket schedules cite old section numbers. Confirm the current amount with Bylaw Services.

## Official forms and pages

- [Burning page and Open Burning Permit Application Form, Municipality of North Cowichan](https://www.northcowichan.ca/burning)
- [Fire Protection Bylaw No. 3841, 2021 (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Fire%20Protection%20Bylaw.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire.md)
- [Duncan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/backyard-fire.md)
- [Ladysmith](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/backyard-fire.md)
- [North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/backyard-fire.md)
- [Sidney](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/backyard-fire.md)
- [Lake Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/backyard-fire.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Burning, Municipality of North Cowichan](https://www.northcowichan.ca/burning) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fire Protection Bylaw No. 3841, 2021, consolidated to September 14, 2026 (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Fire%20Protection%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020, Schedule A (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021 (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Organics, kitchen and yard waste, Municipality of North Cowichan](https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/curbside-collection/organics-kitchen-yard-waste) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 Municipality of North Cowichan. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/backyard-fire/_