Parksville backyard fire and burning rules

Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste?

Parksville, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

How it works

Under the Outdoor Burning Bylaw 1428, all open burning is prohibited at all times in the City. No one may burn garden refuse, general clearing waste, debris, domestic waste, garbage or noxious materials in an open fire, incinerator or similar device. There is no burning permit, and the former agricultural clearing waste exemption was removed in 2015.

Steps

1. For cooking, use a barbecue, hibachi or fire pit up to 0.5 square metres with a grate.
2. For a decorative fire, use an outdoor fireplace: covered by a grate and protected by a screen, no bigger than 0.5 m across, wide and deep and 1.8 m high.
3. Have a person 18 or older present at the fire.
4. For yard waste, see the yard waste answer.

Good to know

• Open campfires are not allowed. The campfire exemption covers only permanent approved campsite fireplaces in a provincial park or supervised commercial campground.
• Beach fires were removed from the bylaw in 2016, and the Parks bylaw bans fires in parks without the City's written authorization.
• The Fire Chief may, at his or her sole discretion, impose a complete ban on campfires and other normally exempt burning when weather or a high fire hazard warrants it. Ask Parksville Fire Rescue (250-248-3242, fire@parksville.ca) about current status.
• A bylaw notice for a prohibited fire is $200 ($150 if paid within 14 days, $250 if paid late). A municipal ticket is $150. A court fine is up to $2,000.
• Yard waste can go in the green organics cart. Larger branches go to the City's wood chipping program or the Church Road Transfer Station, 860 Church Road.