---
title: Pitt Meadows backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste?"
place: Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/pitt-meadows
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: shared
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/backyard-fire.json"
---

# Pitt Meadows backyard fire and burning rules

**Question:** Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste?

**Short answer:** No. In the City of Pitt Meadows you may not burn wood in a backyard fire pit or outdoor appliance. Only cooking fires using natural gas, propane or charcoal are allowed. Open burning is limited to agricultural land with a City permit. A new Fireworks Bylaw also bans open-air fires.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** City burning permit $50, valid 5 consecutive days (agricultural land only).  
**How long:** A permit is valid for 5 consecutive days. The ventilation index must be checked each morning.  
**Where:**
- Online: Apply for a City burning permit, https://www.pittmeadows.ca/services-and-payments/online-payments-and-applications
- In person: Pitt Meadows City Hall reception, 12007 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 2B5 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Phone: Metro Vancouver ventilation index (zone 3), 604-436-6777
- Phone: Pitt Meadows Fire and Rescue Service, 604-465-2401
- Email: Fire and Rescue, fire@pittmeadows.ca

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** No. Burning wood in any outdoor appliance or pit, including fire pits, is never allowed. Cooking fires in a barbecue or fire pit using natural gas, propane or charcoal, and smokers, are allowed. The new Fireworks Bylaw s. 3.3 also bans any open-air fire; the City has not said how that applies to gas fire pits.
  - Source: [Burning Regulation Bylaw No. 2688, 2015 (consolidated), ss. 3(a), 5](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2024-07/Burning%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20No.%202688%2C%202015%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No burning of wood in any type of outdoor appliance, device or pit is permitted at any time." … "Cooking fires contained within a manufactured or permitted barbecue or fire pit using natural gas/propane or charcoal"
  - Source: [Burn Permits, Burn Permits page](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/emergency-services/fire-and-rescue-service/burn-permits)
  - Official wording: "Open wood burning is not permitted in urban areas in Pitt Meadows at any time of year" … "Propane and natural gas fires and barbeques are permitted."
  - Source: [Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Bylaw No. 3063, 2026, Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Bylaw No. 3063, 2026, s. 3.3](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Fireworks-and-Pyrotechnics-Bylaw-No-3063%2C-2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "of any kind whatsoever in the open air, including airborne fire holding devices" … "not under the control of the user such as Sky Lanterns."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Burning yard waste:** Not allowed in the urban area or on non-agricultural land. Agricultural land only, with a City permit and Metro Vancouver approval: waste from that land, piles up to 4 m3, 30 m from buildings and roads, 500 m from industrial or commercial sites, 10 m from watercourses, 120 hours at most, adult 19+ present. Mar 1-May 31 and Sept 1-Nov 30. (Sources differ: Conflict: the Burn Permits page gives a 15 m distance from buildings and a fall season of October 1 to November 30; the bylaw says 30 m and September 1 to November 30. The bylaw is followed here. Other bylaw conditions: 500 m from industrial, commercial or institutional facilities, 10 m from watercourses, no more than 120 consecutive hours, a person aged 19 or over present throughout. The page's 'March 1 to May 31 - Burning season cancelled due to fire ban' is a dated notice.)
  - Source: [Burning Regulation Bylaw No. 2688, 2015 (consolidated), ss. 3(h), 6](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2024-07/Burning%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20No.%202688%2C%202015%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall burn wood or garden waste in the Urban Area, as defined by the Official Community Plan, except as described in 4(a) of this Bylaw;" … "agricultural. They are available from March 1 to May 31 inclusive and from September 1 to November 30 inclusive, annually" … "within thirty (30) meters of any building, structure, fence, hedge or overhead wire or cable;" … "within 30 meters of any public roadway;" … "any agricultural waste over 4 cubic meters (1.8m X 1.8m X 1.8m) in pile size." … "within five hundred (500) meters of an industrial, commercial or" … "within 10 meters of any water course;" … "for more than 120 consecutive hours;" … "unless a person age nineteen (19) or over is at all times present at the"
  - Source: [Burn Permits, Burn Permits page](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/emergency-services/fire-and-rescue-service/burn-permits)
  - Official wording: "If you live in an area of Pitt Meadows that is not agriculturally zoned, you are not permitted to burn yard waste." … "You cannot burn within 15 metres of any building structure, fence, hedge or overhead wire or cable." … "- October 1 to November 30 - now open"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit:** Yes, on agriculturally zoned land only. City burning permit $50, valid 5 consecutive days, bought at City Hall (12007 Harris Road) Monday to Friday, or applied for online. Open burning approval from Metro Vancouver is also required, and the ventilation index must be checked each morning.
  - Source: [Burning Regulation Bylaw No. 2688, 2015 (consolidated), s. 7](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2024-07/Burning%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20No.%202688%2C%202015%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall start an Agricultural Land Open Burning fire without first paying a permit fee of $50.00."
  - Source: [Burn Permits, Burn Permits page](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/emergency-services/fire-and-rescue-service/burn-permits)
  - Official wording: "Open burning now requires both a City burning permit and open burning approval through Metro Vancouver." … "Each permit costs $50.00 and is valid for five consecutive days." … "Only persons living on agricultural zoned properties can purchase a permit to burn." … "Apply for a permit online or in person at City Hall reception Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fire bans:** No burning during a provincial fire ban or a Metro Vancouver no-burning order. Each morning (by 8:30 a.m.) check the Metro Vancouver ventilation index for zone 3 on its website or by phone, 604-436-6777.
  - Source: [Burning Regulation Bylaw No. 2688, 2015 (consolidated), s. 3(i)](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2024-07/Burning%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20No.%202688%2C%202015%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall burn during a provincial fire ban or a Metro Vancouver no burning order;"
  - Source: [Burn Permits, Burn Permits page](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/emergency-services/fire-and-rescue-service/burn-permits)
  - Official wording: "Check the ventilation index, for zone 3, as available by 8:30 am" … "Calling 604-436-6777 and selecting zone 3."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Instead of burning:** Weekly green (food and yard waste) cart collection; extra brown yard-waste bags with $5 tags (up to two extra bags per service day); a local compost site for a fee; larger material to the Maple Ridge Recycling and Residential Transfer Station.
  - Source: [Burn Permits, Dispose of Yard Waste Safely](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/emergency-services/fire-and-rescue-service/burn-permits)
  - Official wording: "Purchase extra bag tags for $5 at City Hall (12007 Harris Road)." … "Drop off garden waste, leaves and branches at a local compost site for a fee." … "Larger material and construction waste can be taken to the Maple Ridge Recycling and Residential Transfer Station"
  - Source: [Garbage and Recycling, Garbage and Food/Yard Waste](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/services-and-payments/garbage-and-recycling)
  - Official wording: "Food/Yard Waste is collected weekly on your service day"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: outdoor fire prohibited $500 ($400 if paid within 14 days). No fire permit, burning prohibited material, or burning when barred by Metro Vancouver or a provincial ban: $500. Burning foreign material $200. Lighting any open-air fire under the Fireworks Bylaw s. 3.3: $500.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2439, 2009 (consolidated), Schedule A, Burning Regulation Bylaw No. 2688, 2015](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-Bylaw-No-2439%2C-2009-Consolidated-Version.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Outdoor fire prohibited 3(a) 400 500" … "No fire permit 3(d) n/a 500" … "Burn foreign material 3(c) n/a 200" … "Burning when prohibited by Metro 3(i) n/a 500" … "Light, ignite, start or 3.3 n/a 500" … "Outdoor fire prohibited" … "started open air fire"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Burning Regulation Bylaw No. 2688, 2015
  - Source: [Burning Regulation Bylaw No. 2688, 2015 (consolidated), title](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2024-07/Burning%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20No.%202688%2C%202015%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BURNING REGULATION BYLAW No. 2688, 2015"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [Burning Regulation Bylaw No. 2688, 2015](<https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2024-07/Burning%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20No.%202688%2C%202015%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf>) does not allow burning wood in any outdoor appliance or pit, including fire pits. Cooking fires in a barbecue or fire pit using natural gas, propane or charcoal, and smokers, are allowed. Separately, the new [Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Bylaw No. 3063, 2026](<https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Fireworks-and-Pyrotechnics-Bylaw-No-3063%2C-2026.pdf>) (s. 3.3) bans lighting "a fire of any kind whatsoever in the open air". The sources do not explain how the two fit together or how s. 3.3 applies to gas fire pits, so ask Fire and Rescue before lighting one.

## Open burning on farmland

Open burning is not allowed in the urban area or on non-agricultural land. On agricultural land only, with a City permit and Metro Vancouver approval:

1. Burn only waste from that land, in piles up to 4 m³.
2. Stay 30 m from buildings and roads, 500 m from industrial or commercial sites and 10 m from watercourses.
3. Burn for no more than 120 hours, with an adult aged 19 or over present.
4. Burn only between March 1 and May 31 or September 1 and November 30.
5. Buy the $50 permit at City Hall, 12007 Harris Road, Monday to Friday, or apply online. Check the Metro Vancouver ventilation index (zone 3) each morning by 8:30 a.m., on its website or at 604-436-6777.

## Good to know

- No burning during a provincial fire ban or a Metro Vancouver no-burning order.
- The Burn Permits page gives 15 m from buildings and a fall season starting October 1; the bylaw says 30 m and September 1. The bylaw is followed here.
- Alternatives: weekly green (food and yard waste) cart collection; extra brown yard-waste bags with $5 tags (up to two per service day); a local compost site for a fee; larger material to the Maple Ridge Recycling and Residential Transfer Station.
- Bylaw notices: outdoor fire prohibited $500 ($400 if paid within 14 days); no permit, prohibited material, or burning when barred $500; foreign material $200; open-air fire under the Fireworks Bylaw s. 3.3 $500.

## Official forms and pages

- [Burn Permits, City of Pitt Meadows](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/emergency-services/fire-and-rescue-service/burn-permits)
- [Burning Regulation Bylaw No. 2688, 2015 (consolidated PDF)](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2024-07/Burning%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20No.%202688%2C%202015%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf)
- [Metro Vancouver open burning of vegetative debris](https://metrovancouver.org/services/environmental-regulation-enforcement/air-quality-regulatory-program/open-burning-vegetative-debris)

## Related questions

- [Pitt Meadows fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/fireworks.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire.md)
- [Maple Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/backyard-fire.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/backyard-fire.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/backyard-fire.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/backyard-fire.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/backyard-fire.md)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Burning Regulation Bylaw No. 2688, 2015 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2024-07/Burning%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20No.%202688%2C%202015%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Burn Permits, City of Pitt Meadows](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/emergency-services/fire-and-rescue-service/burn-permits) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Bylaw No. 3063, 2026 (PDF)](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Fireworks-and-Pyrotechnics-Bylaw-No-3063%2C-2026.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Garbage and Recycling, City of Pitt Meadows](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/services-and-payments/garbage-and-recycling) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2439, 2009 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-Bylaw-No-2439%2C-2009-Consolidated-Version.pdf) (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 any government. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/backyard-fire/_