District of North Vancouver backyard fire and burning rules

Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in the District of North Vancouver?

District of North Vancouver, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

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.Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council, s. 5.8(a), (c), (g) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
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.Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council, ss. 5.3(d), 5.8(a)-(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
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.Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council, s. 5.8(e)-(f) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
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.Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council, s. 5.9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording the Fire Chief may: a campfire or other kind of fire outdoors or Suspend, revoke or deny any Permits
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.Solid Waste Management Bylaw 8436, s. 1, Definitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
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).Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council, s. 9.21; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7458, Schedule A, Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 5.8(a) Start open air fire 500 5.8(b) Burn land for clearing 300 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
Bylaw	Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762 (s. 5.8 Open Air Fires). Also the Metro Vancouver Air Quality Bylaw for any permitted burning.Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762, version attached to the January 13, 2026 report to Council, s. 5.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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:

How it works

Under the Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8762 (Council report copy), 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

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

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

The same question in other places

North Vancouver · Belcarra · West Vancouver · Port Moody · Vancouver · Burnaby

Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

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 (read 2026-11-06)
Solid Waste Management Bylaw 8436 (PDF), District of North Vancouver (read 2026-11-06)
Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481 (PDF), District of North Vancouver (read 2026-11-06)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7458 (PDF), District of North Vancouver (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. How answers are checked.