---
title: North Saanich backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I burn yard waste or have a backyard fire, and what are the allowable burning days?"
place: North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/north-saanich
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of North Saanich
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/backyard-fire.json"
---

# North Saanich backyard fire and burning rules

**Question:** Can I burn yard waste or have a backyard fire, and what are the allowable burning days?

**Short answer:** In North Saanich, outdoor burning needs a permit from the Fire Department, $25 for fires up to 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft and for fire appliances, $35 for fires up to 10 ft x 10 ft x 10 ft. Open burning is allowed only in the burning season on set days; the District publishes a calendar each year.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of North Saanich, https://www.northsaanich.ca)  
**Cost:** $25 for fires up to 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft, incinerators and outdoor fire appliances; $35 for fires up to 10 ft x 10 ft x 10 ft; up to $200 for each larger pile.  
**How long:** An appliance permit lasts two years; other permits last one burning season.  
**Where:**
- In person: Wain Road Fire Hall (permits), Wain Road Fire Hall, North Saanich (Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; cash, cheque or debit.)
- Phone: North Saanich Fire Department, 250-656-1931 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
- Email: North Saanich Fire Department, firedepartment@northsaanich.ca

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Yes, with a $25 permit. Outdoor fire appliances (fire bowls, outdoor fireplaces) burn only clean dry wood or charcoal, 10 ft from buildings and 25 ft from the property line, sunrise to 10 p.m., and not during a provincial fire ban. Open fires up to 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft need the same permit and 25 ft from structures.
  - Source: [Open Burning Bylaw No. 1502, ss. 3.2, 4.1, 6.1(c), def. Open Burn, Schedule B](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-11/1502-Open-Burning-Bylaw-No-1502.pdf)
  - Official wording: "carry out an open burn except where expressly authorized by a Fire Permit and in accordance with this Bylaw." … "fires in incinerators, and outdoor recreational fireplaces." … "barbeques used for food cooking purposes provided the barbeque is:" … "outdoor heaters, provided the appliance is propane or natural gas fueled and CSA certified; and" … "completely and properly extinguished by 10:00 PM on any day." … "Outdoor $25 Maximum of At least 25 feet from Expires two (2) years from" … "At least 10 feet from"
  - Source: [Burning in North Saanich, Restrictions, Outdoor Fire Appliances](https://www.northsaanich.ca/outdoor-burning)
  - Official wording: "These appliances are used for cooking and quiet enjoyment, not for burning yard or household debris." … "Covers outdoor fire appliances and fires up to 3ft x 3ft x3ft" … "The use of Outdoor Fire Appliances is subject to campfire bans in the Coastal Fire region"
  - Source: [Burning Regulations brochure (September 2024), Outdoor fire appliances](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/Burning-Regulations.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The allowed hours of operation are between sunrise and 10:00 p.m. daily." … "An outdoor fire appliances shall be located no closer than 10' from any building, and no closer than 25' from the property line." … "There shall be no use of any outdoor fire appliance when the Provincial fire ban is in effect." … "An open fire, 3' x 3' x3', shall be located at least 25' from any structures or combustibles." … "no closer than 10' from any building, and no closer than 25' from the property line"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Burning yard waste:** Yes, with a Fire Permit, only in the Burning Season (dates set yearly) on the first and third consecutive Thursday, Friday and Saturday of each month, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., not on statutory holidays. No open burning in the Dean Park area except outdoor appliances. Grass, most leaves, plastics and treated wood may never be burned. A competent adult aged 19 or over must tend the fire. (Sources differ: Conflict on hours: the bylaw (s. 6.1(a)) says 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; the District's burning notices and the September 2024 brochure say sunrise to sunset. The bylaw is used. The District publishes a yearly calendar of allowable burning days; the 2026-2027 season is noted as open from November 5, 2026 (dated notice, not the standing rule). Prohibited Waste includes grass, leaves (except those still attached to the branches being burned), plastics, treated or painted wood, construction and demolition waste, furniture, tires and rubber; see Schedule A. Medium fires (up to 10 ft x 10 ft x 10 ft) must be at least 25 feet from a property line and 50 feet from structures; large fires at least 50 feet and 100 feet (Schedule B). The Open Burning Bylaw PDF text has OCR errors (for example 'shaU', 'aU').)
  - Source: [Open Burning Bylaw No. 1502, ss. 6.1, 6.2(a), 6.3, def. Burning Season](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-11/1502-Open-Burning-Bylaw-No-1502.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Open burning may only take place on the first and the third consecutive Thursday, Friday and Saturday of each calendar month during the Burning Season, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM:." … "Open burning is not permitted on any statutory holiday." … "No open burning is permitted, with the exception of outdoor appliances, in the Dean Park area" … "No Prohibited Waste shall be burned at any time." … "ensure that a competent person at least 19 years of age is present to monitor and maintain the fire" … "means the specific dates, as determined in writing by the Fire Chief each calendar year, between which open burning may occur in the District."
  - Source: [2026-2027 North Saanich Allowable burning days, News notice (2026-2027 calendar)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/news-community/news-notices/2026-2027-north-saanich-allowable-burning-days)
  - Official wording: "Burning is recommended on good venting days and is strictly allowed from sunrise to sunset to maximize smoke dispersion."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit:** Yes. All outdoor burning needs a permit from the North Saanich Fire Department, sold at the Wain Road Fire Hall, Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (cash, cheque or debit). $25: fires up to 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft, incinerators and outdoor fire appliances. $35: fires up to 10 ft x 10 ft x 10 ft. Up to $200 for each larger pile. Permit conditions apply.
  - Source: [Burning in North Saanich, Permits and Rates](https://www.northsaanich.ca/outdoor-burning)
  - Official wording: "Any outdoor burning in North Saanich requires the purchase of a permit from the North Saanich Fire Department and can be purchased at the Wain Road Fire Hall, Monday to Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m." … "Covers outdoor fire appliances and fires up to 3ft x 3ft x3ft" … "Covers up to 10ft x 10ft x 10ft"
  - Source: [Burning Regulations brochure (September 2024), Annual Permits](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/Burning-Regulations.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A permit must be requested and a permit fee of $25.00 annually is required for all open 3' x 3' x 3' fires," … "A permit must be requested and a permit fee of $35.00 annually is required for all open fires up to 10'x10'x10'." … "A permit must be requested and a permit fee up to $200.00 will be charged for each pile."
  - Source: [Open Burning Bylaw No. 1502, s. 5.1 and Schedule B](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-11/1502-Open-Burning-Bylaw-No-1502.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The Fire Chief may issue a Fire Permit on terms and conditions including, but not limited to, the size specifications, distance requirements and payment of the fees"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fire bans:** The Fire Chief may suspend any or all open burning when conditions may create a fire hazard. Outdoor fire appliances are subject to campfire bans in the Coastal Fire region: check current prohibitions at www.bcwildfire.ca. The District's Burning page also links current fire prohibitions, and the Fire Department (250-656-1931) can be called for updates when conditions are dry.
  - Source: [Open Burning Bylaw No. 1502, s. 7.1](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-11/1502-Open-Burning-Bylaw-No-1502.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The Fire Chief in their sole discretion may suspend any or" … "when, in the opinion of the Fire Chief, conditions exist that may cause such burning to create a Fire Hazard."
  - Source: [Burning in North Saanich, Restrictions](https://www.northsaanich.ca/outdoor-burning)
  - Official wording: "view current Fire Prohibitions and Restrictions at www.bcwildfire.ca"
  - Source: [Burning Regulations brochure (September 2024), Outdoor fire appliances](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/Burning-Regulations.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Please check the Fire Department website or call the Fire Department for updates when conditions are dry." … "North Saanich Fire Department 250-656-1931"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Instead of burning:** The District Green Waste Facility, 10180 Littlewood Road (8:00 a.m. to noon on select Thursdays and most Saturdays; $7 per car, $15 per pickup or utility trailer; cash or cheque only; clean waste only). Hartland Landfill, 1 Hartland Avenue, accepts yard and garden waste ($59 per tonne for material under 3 inches thick, $10 minimum).
  - Source: [Green Waste, Green Waste page](https://www.northsaanich.ca/resident-services/green-waste)
  - Official wording: "10180 Littlewood Road, North Saanich" … "8:00 a.m. - 12 p.m. (noon) on select Thursdays and most Saturdays (view the calendar for dates)" … "$7.00 Car" … "$15.00 Pickup or Utility Trailer" … "Please note we accept cash and cheques only."
  - Source: [Hartland Rates & Accepted Items, Capital Regional District, Yard & Garden Waste](https://www.crd.ca/programs-services/garbage-recycling/hartland-landfill/rates-accepted-items)
  - Official wording: "Yard and garden material (less than 3"dia) - $59/tonne, $10 minimum"
  - Source: [Burning in North Saanich, Alternatives to Burning](https://www.northsaanich.ca/outdoor-burning)
  - Official wording: "- Burn dry material. Do not burn leaves, green grass, construction waste or household items. ## Ventilation Index ## Alternatives to Burning - Green Waste Facility ### Burning information and resources"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Municipal ticket (MTI Bylaw 1544, Schedule 3): open fire without a permit $130 ($100 if paid within 30 days); burning outside authorized times $200 ($140); burning prohibited materials $390 ($200); excessive smoke $130 ($100). Section numbers do not all match Bylaw 1502, and these 2022 amounts may be out of date.
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1544 (Schedule 3)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Municipal-Ticket-Information-Bylaw-No.-1544.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Lighting, igniting or maintaining a fire in the open 8.1(a) $130.00 $100.00" … "Burning outside authorized times 6.1(a) $200.00 $140.00" … "Burning prohibited materials 6.1(d) $390.00 $200.00" … "Creating excessive smoke 6.1(e) $130.00 $100.00"
  - Source: [Open Burning Bylaw No. 1502, s. 8.2](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-11/1502-Open-Burning-Bylaw-No-1502.pdf)
  - Official wording: "if proceedings are brought under the Offence Act, to pay a fine of up to $50,000;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Open Burning Bylaw No. 1502 (2020)
  - Source: [Open Burning Bylaw No. 1502, s. 1.1](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-11/1502-Open-Burning-Bylaw-No-1502.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Open Burning Bylaw No. 1502"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Open Burning Bylaw No. 1502](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-11/1502-Open-Burning-Bylaw-No-1502.pdf), all outdoor burning needs a permit from the North Saanich Fire Department. The permit must be on hand while burning, and a competent adult aged 19 or over must tend the fire.

- **Open burning (yard waste):** allowed only in the Burning Season, whose dates are set yearly, on the first and third consecutive Thursday, Friday and Saturday of each month, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and not on statutory holidays.
- **Small open fires:** up to 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft with a $25 permit, at least 25 ft from structures.
- **Outdoor fire appliances (fire bowls, outdoor fireplaces):** with a $25 permit. Burn only clean dry wood or charcoal, 10 ft from buildings and 25 ft from the property line, from sunrise to 10 p.m., and not during a provincial fire ban.

## Steps

1. Check the burning page for the current season and the District's calendar of allowable burning days.
2. Buy the permit at the Wain Road Fire Hall, Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (cash, cheque or debit). Medium fires (up to 10 ft x 10 ft x 10 ft) cost $35 and larger piles up to $200 each.
3. Check current fire prohibitions at www.bcwildfire.ca before you light. The Fire Chief may suspend open burning when conditions may create a fire hazard. Call 250-656-1931 for updates when it is dry.

## Good to know

- Grass, most leaves, plastics and treated wood may never be burned.
- No open burning in the Dean Park area. Outdoor appliances are not allowed there either.
- Hours differ between sources: the bylaw says 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the District's notices and 2024 brochure say sunrise to sunset. Confirm with the Fire Department.
- Alternative: the District Green Waste Facility, 10180 Littlewood Road, takes yard waste (see the yard waste answer).
- Municipal tickets (2022 amounts, may have changed): open fire without a permit $130 ($100 if paid within 30 days); burning outside authorized times $200 ($140); burning prohibited materials $390 ($200).

## Official forms and pages

- [Burning in North Saanich](https://www.northsaanich.ca/outdoor-burning)
- [Burning Regulations brochure (PDF)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/Burning-Regulations.pdf)
- [Open Burning Bylaw No. 1502 (PDF)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-11/1502-Open-Burning-Bylaw-No-1502.pdf)

## Related questions

- [North Saanich fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/fireworks.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire.md)
- [Sidney](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/backyard-fire.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/backyard-fire.md)
- [Highlands](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/backyard-fire.md)
- [Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/backyard-fire.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/backyard-fire.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Burning in North Saanich, District of North Saanich](https://www.northsaanich.ca/outdoor-burning) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Open Burning Bylaw No. 1502 (PDF)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-11/1502-Open-Burning-Bylaw-No-1502.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Burning Regulations brochure (September 2024) (PDF)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/Burning-Regulations.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Green Waste, District of North Saanich](https://www.northsaanich.ca/resident-services/green-waste) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1544 (Schedule 3) (PDF)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Municipal-Ticket-Information-Bylaw-No.-1544.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [2026-2027 North Saanich Allowable burning days](https://www.northsaanich.ca/news-community/news-notices/2026-2027-north-saanich-allowable-burning-days) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Hartland Rates & Accepted Items, Capital Regional District](https://www.crd.ca/programs-services/garbage-recycling/hartland-landfill/rates-accepted-items) (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 District of North Saanich. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/backyard-fire/_