{"title":"District of North Vancouver backyard fire and burning rules","question":"Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in the District of North Vancouver?","slug":"backyard-fire","place":{"path":"ca/bc/north-vancouver-district","name":"District of North Vancouver","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":"District of North Vancouver","url":"https://www.dnv.org"},"short_answer":"Generally no. In the District of North Vancouver (not the City of North Vancouver), the Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw bans open-air fires unless the Fire Chief issues a permit. Solid-fuel backyard appliances are prohibited, except wood-fired pizza ovens and outdoor fireplaces built and inspected with a building permit.","aliases":["backyard fire district of north vancouver","fire pit rules north vancouver district","burning yard waste dnv","campfire north vancouver district"],"cost":"The Fire Chief may charge an open-air burning permit fee set in the Fees and Charges Bylaw; the fee is not stated there. Fines: see Good to know.","how_long":"Permit processing time is not stated.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"District general customer service","value":"604-990-2311"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver, BC V7N 4N5"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council (PDF), District of North Vancouver","url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/8-4-fire-rescue.pdf"},{"title":"Solid Waste Management Bylaw 8436 (PDF), District of North Vancouver","url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%208436.pdf"},{"title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481 (PDF), District of North Vancouver","url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%206481.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"fireworks","title":"District of North Vancouver fireworks rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/fireworks/"},{"slug":"yard-waste","title":"District of North Vancouver yard waste collection and drop-off","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/yard-waste/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"District of North Vancouver bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/north-vancouver","name":"North Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/belcarra","name":"Belcarra","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/west-vancouver","name":"West Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-moody","name":"Port Moody","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vancouver","name":"Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/burnaby","name":"Burnaby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/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":"Generally no. A person must not light a fire of any kind in the open air unless the bylaw allows it (for example a Fire Chief permit). Exterior solid-fuel appliances are prohibited, except wood-fired pizza ovens and outdoor fireplaces built and inspected with a building permit. CSA/ULC-approved briquette, gas, electric or propane appliances are allowed.","short":"Generally no","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/8-4-fire-rescue.pdf","title":"Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council (PDF), District of North Vancouver","section":"s. 5.8(a), (c), (g)","quotes":["a person must not light, ignite, start or cause to be lighted, ignited or started, a fire of any kind whatsoever in the open","All exterior solid fuel-fired appliances or devices are prohibited","CSA/ULC approved briquette, natural gas, electric or propane appliances are","The Fire Chief may issue a Permit for open air burning fires and charge a Permit","(d) Existing wood-fired pizza ovens and outdoor fireplaces that were constructed and","(c) All exterior solid fuel-fired appliances or devices are prohibited, including pizza"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"open_burning":{"label":"Burning yard waste","value":"Generally no. Open-air fires are banned unless the Fire Chief issues a permit (which must follow the Metro Vancouver Air Quality Bylaw). Burning for land clearing or construction is banned. Dumping yard waste or branches that could cause a fire hazard is an offence.","short":"No, unless the Fire Chief issues a permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/8-4-fire-rescue.pdf","title":"Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council (PDF), District of North Vancouver","section":"ss. 5.3(d), 5.8(a)-(b)","quotes":["A person must not burn for land clearing and/or construction purposes","Dispose of yard waste or trimmings, trees, branches or any other materials which","could cause a Fire Hazard","(b) A person must not burn for land clearing and/or construction purposes;","The Fire Chief may issue a Permit for open air burning fires and charge a Permit","(d) Dispose of yard waste or trimmings, trees, branches or any other materials which"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permit":{"label":"Permit","value":"The Fire Chief may issue a permit for open air burning and charge a fee set in the Fees and Charges Bylaw. A permit holder must follow the Metro Vancouver Air Quality Bylaw, and the Fire Chief may suspend it if wind, weather or fire danger rating make burning unsafe.","short":"Fire Chief may issue; fee in Fees bylaw","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/8-4-fire-rescue.pdf","title":"Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council (PDF), District of North Vancouver","section":"s. 5.8(e)-(f)","quotes":["The Fire Chief may issue a Permit for open air burning fires and charge a Permit","must comply with the Metro Vancouver Air Quality Bylaw","may suspend an open air fire Permit if on the date"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fire_bans":{"label":"Fire bans","value":"The Fire Chief may order the temporary closure of trails and forested facilities, and may order that no one light or keep a campfire or other outdoor fire, including in a grill, barbecue or outdoor fireplace that burns wood, charcoal or briquettes. The Fire Chief may also suspend or deny permits.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/8-4-fire-rescue.pdf","title":"Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council (PDF), District of North Vancouver","section":"s. 5.9","quotes":["the Fire Chief may:","a campfire or other kind of fire outdoors or","Suspend, revoke or deny any Permits"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"alternatives":{"label":"Instead of burning","value":"Yard trimmings (weeds, leaves, grass, and cuttings under 7.5 cm across and 1 m long) go in the District-supplied organics container for curbside collection.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%208436.pdf","title":"Solid Waste Management Bylaw 8436 (PDF), District of North Vancouver","section":"s. 1, Definitions","quotes":["Yard trimmings” includes weeds, leaves, grass and tree, plant or shrubbery cuttings","less than 7.5 cm in diameter and less than one metre in length","Organics” means food waste and yard trimmings"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Municipal ticket (in the Fire bylaw): starting an open-air fire $500; burning land for clearing $300; unpermitted cooking fire $200; smoke from open-air burning $200; unsafe disposal of yard waste $500. Bylaw notice: the same base amounts ($500 starting a fire, $375 if paid within 14 days, $750 after 28 days).","short":"Notice $500 ($375 if paid in 14 days); ticket $500","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/8-4-fire-rescue.pdf","title":"Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council (PDF), District of North Vancouver","section":"s. 9.21","quotes":["5.8(a) Start open air fire 500","5.8(b) Burn land for clearing 300"]},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207458.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7458 (PDF), District of North Vancouver","section":"Schedule A, Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762","quotes":["5.8(a) Start open air fire 500 375 750","5.8(b) Burn land for clearing 300 225 450","5.3(d) Unsafe disposal of yard waste 500 375 750"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762 (s. 5.8 Open Air Fires). Also the Metro Vancouver Air Quality Bylaw for any permitted burning.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/8-4-fire-rescue.pdf","title":"Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council (PDF), District of North Vancouver","section":"s. 5.8","quotes":["Open Air Fires 5.8 Restrictions: (a) Except as specifically permitted in this bylaw, a person must not light, ignite, start","AUTHOR: Mike Danks - Fire Chief SUBJECT: New Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762 RECOMMENDATION:"]}],"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\nUnder the Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762 ([Council report copy](<https://docs.dnv.org/documents/8-4-fire-rescue.pdf>)), no one in the District of North Vancouver may light a fire of any kind in the open air unless the bylaw allows it, for example under a Fire Chief permit. Burning for land clearing or construction is banned. Dumping yard waste or branches that could cause a fire hazard is an offence. CSA/ULC-approved briquette, gas, electric or propane appliances are allowed.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Do not light a wood fire in a pit or open air. Use an approved gas, propane, electric or briquette appliance.\n2. For an open-air burn, ask the Fire Chief for a permit. A permit holder must follow the Metro Vancouver Air Quality Bylaw. Call 604-990-2311 or check dnv.org for how to apply.\n3. Put yard trimmings (weeds, leaves, grass, and cuttings under 7.5 cm across and 1 m long) in the District organics container for curbside collection (see [Solid Waste Management Bylaw 8436](<https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%208436.pdf>)).\n\n## Good to know\n\n- The Fire Chief may suspend or deny permits if wind, weather or fire danger rating make burning unsafe. The Fire Chief may also order that no one light or keep a campfire or other outdoor fire, including in a grill, barbecue or outdoor fireplace that burns wood, charcoal or briquettes. Check dnv.org for the current fire danger rating.\n- Municipal ticket: starting an open-air fire $500; burning land for clearing $300; unpermitted cooking fire $200; smoke from open-air burning $200; unsafe disposal of yard waste $500.\n- Bylaw notice: the same base amounts ($500 for starting a fire, $375 if paid within 14 days, $750 after 28 days).","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/str-owner-authorization-form.pdf","title":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/str-owner-authorization-form.pdf","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/8-4-fire-rescue.pdf","title":"Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council (PDF), District of North Vancouver","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%208436.pdf","title":"Solid Waste Management Bylaw 8436 (PDF), District of North Vancouver","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%206481.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481 (PDF), District of North Vancouver","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207458.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7458 (PDF), District of North Vancouver","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","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/north-vancouver-district/backyard-fire/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/backyard-fire.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/backyard-fire.json"}}