---
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?"
place: District of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/north-vancouver-district
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of North Vancouver
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/backyard-fire.json"
---

# 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?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of North Vancouver, https://www.dnv.org)  
**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:**
- Phone: District general customer service, 604-990-2311
- In person: Municipal Hall, 355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver, BC V7N 4N5

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** 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.
  - Source: [Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council, s. 5.8(a), (c), (g)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/8-4-fire-rescue.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Burning yard waste:** 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.
  - Source: [Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council, ss. 5.3(d), 5.8(a)-(b)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/8-4-fire-rescue.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit:** 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.
  - Source: [Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council, s. 5.8(e)-(f)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/8-4-fire-rescue.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fire bans:** 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.
  - Source: [Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council, s. 5.9](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/8-4-fire-rescue.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the Fire Chief may:" … "a campfire or other kind of fire outdoors or" … "Suspend, revoke or deny any Permits"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Instead of burning:** 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.
  - Source: [Solid Waste Management Bylaw 8436, s. 1, Definitions](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%208436.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** 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).
  - Source: [Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council, s. 9.21](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/8-4-fire-rescue.pdf)
  - Official wording: "5.8(a) Start open air fire 500" … "5.8(b) Burn land for clearing 300"
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7458, Schedule A, Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207458.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762 (s. 5.8 Open Air Fires). Also the Metro Vancouver Air Quality Bylaw for any permitted burning.
  - Source: [Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council, s. 5.8](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/8-4-fire-rescue.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under 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.

## Steps

1. Do not light a wood fire in a pit or open air. Use an approved gas, propane, electric or briquette appliance.
2. 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.
3. 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>)).

## Good to know

- 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.
- 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.
- Bylaw notice: the same base amounts ($500 for starting a fire, $375 if paid within 14 days, $750 after 28 days).

## Official forms and pages

- [Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council (PDF), District of North Vancouver](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/8-4-fire-rescue.pdf)
- [Solid Waste Management Bylaw 8436 (PDF), District of North Vancouver](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%208436.pdf)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481 (PDF), District of North Vancouver](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%206481.pdf)

## Related questions

- [District of North Vancouver fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/fireworks.md)
- [District of North Vancouver yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/yard-waste.md)
- [District of North Vancouver bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/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)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/backyard-fire.md)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/backyard-fire.md)
- [West Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/backyard-fire.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/backyard-fire.md)
- [Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/backyard-fire.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [https://docs.dnv.org/documents/str-owner-authorization-form.pdf](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/str-owner-authorization-form.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council (PDF), District of North Vancouver](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/8-4-fire-rescue.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Solid Waste Management Bylaw 8436 (PDF), District of North Vancouver](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%208436.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481 (PDF), District of North Vancouver](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%206481.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7458 (PDF), District of North Vancouver](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207458.pdf) (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 District of North Vancouver. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/backyard-fire/_