---
title: Port Coquitlam backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Port Coquitlam?"
place: Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/port-coquitlam
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Port Coquitlam
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/backyard-fire.json"
---

# Port Coquitlam backyard fire and burning rules

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

**Short answer:** No. Port Coquitlam's Fire and Emergency Services Bylaw bans open air fires, campfires and wood-burning fire pits in backyards. Only A-1 Agriculture properties can get a $50 burning permit. Approved propane, natural gas, electric or briquette appliances are allowed on private property.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Port Coquitlam, https://www.portcoquitlam.ca)  
**Cost:** $50 non-refundable burning permit (A-1 Agriculture only). Ticket for an open air fire: $500.  
**How long:** Burning permits last 15 days.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Fire and Emergency Services, 604-927-5466
- Email: Fire and Emergency Services, fire@portcoquitlam.ca

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** No. Campfires, fire pits and wood-burning appliances are not allowed in backyards. The bylaw bans all open air fires and wood-fired outdoor appliances unless built under a building permit. CSA/ULC-approved propane, natural gas, electric or briquette appliances are allowed on private property, with 3 m clearance from structures, property line and trees when no manufacturer instructions exist.
  - Source: [Fire and Emergency Services Bylaw 2025, No. 4395, s. 6.6.1, 6.6.2(d)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/media/file/4395-fire-and-emergency-services-bylawpdf)
  - Official wording: "a person must not light, ignite, start or cause to be lighted, ignited or started, a fire of" … "All exterior solid fuel-fired appliances or devices are prohibited," … "CSA/ULC approved briquette, natural gas, electric or" … "Maintain a minimum of 3-metre clearance from the nearest"
  - Source: [Open Air Burning, page](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/services/public-safety/fire/open-air-burning)
  - Official wording: "Outdoor burning in piles, drums or campfires is never permitted on non-agricultural private properties or in public spaces."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Burning yard waste:** Not allowed on ordinary residential lots; burning for land clearing or construction is prohibited. Only A-1 Agriculture zoned properties can get a permit, for orchard, berry and vineyard pruning generated on site, in daylight, not in June to September. Metro Vancouver authorization is also needed for piles over 60 cm high and 75 cm wide.
  - Source: [Fire and Emergency Services Bylaw 2025, No. 4395, s. 6.6.1(b)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/media/file/4395-fire-and-emergency-services-bylawpdf)
  - Official wording: "Burning for land clearing and/or construction purposes is" … "prohibited;"
  - Source: [Open Air Burning, page](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/services/public-safety/fire/open-air-burning)
  - Official wording: "will be issued only for outdoor burning, in daylight hours, to burn orchard, berry, and vineyard pruning generated on site on properties zoned A-1 Agricultural." … "so no Burning Permits are issued during the months of June, July August or September." … "require authorization from Metro Vancouver by:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit:** Only the Fire Chief can issue an open-air burning permit (A-1 Agriculture zoned land only). Fee $50, non-refundable, covering application and inspection of the material. Permits last 15 days, and signage must be posted where visible from the street.
  - Source: [Fire and Emergency Services Bylaw 2025, No. 4395, s. 6.6.2(a)-(b)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/media/file/4395-fire-and-emergency-services-bylawpdf)
  - Official wording: "The Fire Chief may issue a permit for open air burning fires. Any" … "Approved burning permit signage must be posted in an area"
  - Source: [Open Air Burning, page](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/services/public-safety/fire/open-air-burning)
  - Official wording: "A non-refundable, $50.00 fee is charged for the application and inspection of materials to be burned" … "Burning Permits are issued for a period of fifteen (15) days."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4415, Schedule (Fire)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Bylaw%204415%20-%202026%20Fees%20and%20Charges.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Open Air Burning Permit 6.6 $50"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fire bans:** The Fire Chief may order a ban on fires, including wood, charcoal or briquette grills, in dangerous conditions; at high fire risk the City can ban all outdoor burning except cooking on a grill. Breaking a ban order is a ticketable offence. Check the Ministry of Forests burning ban page and the Metro Vancouver Ventilation Index (Zone 3; 604-436-6777).
  - Source: [Fire and Emergency Services Bylaw 2025, No. 4395, s. 6.7.1(c), 6.7.3](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/media/file/4395-fire-and-emergency-services-bylawpdf)
  - Official wording: "Order that a person not light, ignite, start, or maintain, or allow or" … "Violate any order issued pursuant to section 6.7.1."
  - Source: [Open Air Burning, page](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/services/public-safety/fire/open-air-burning)
  - Official wording: "At times of high fire risk, the Fire Chief may issue a complete ban on open air burning that prohibits all outdoor burning except for cooking on a grill." … "Calling 604-436-6777 and selecting zone 3."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Instead of burning:** Put yard trimmings in the green cart (collected weekly all year). Trimmings are weeds, plants, leaves, grass, twigs and branches up to 3 inches thick and under 40 inches long. The City also lists the United Boulevard Recycle and Waste Centre (995 United Boulevard, Coquitlam) for green waste.
  - Source: [Green Waste (Green Cart), page](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/services/waste-collection/green-waste)
  - Official wording: "Year-round curbside collection of yard trimmings, food scraps and food-soiled papers is provided to all single-family homes"
  - Source: [Solid Waste Bylaw 3900, s. 2 Yard Trimmings](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/3900%20%20-%20Solid%20Waste%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "clippings, twigs; branches 3” or less in diameter and less than 40 inches long and may"
  - Source: [Waste Disposal Alternatives, Construction Materials](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/greycart/waste-disposal-alternatives)
  - Official wording: "United Boulevard Recycle and Waste Centre (995 United Boulevard, Coquitlam) accepts construction wood waste and green waste."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** $500 for starting an open air fire, burning land for clearing, an unpermitted cooking fire, violating a fire ban order, or unsafe disposal of yard waste. No early-payment discount; $500 if paid late.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3814, Schedule A, Schedule A, Fire and Emergency Services Bylaw 4395](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-10/3814%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Start open air fire 6.6.1(a) 500 N/A 500 N/A" … "Burn land for clearing 6.6.1(b) 500 N/A 500 N/A" … "Unpermitted cooking fire 6.6.1(c) 500 N/A 500 N/A" … "Violate fire ban order 6.7.3(b) 500 N/A 500 N/A"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Fire and Emergency Services Bylaw, 2025, No. 4395 (Part 6); open-air burning in the city also follows the Metro Vancouver Air Quality Bylaw.
  - Source: [Fire and Emergency Services Bylaw 2025, No. 4395, s. 1.1.1](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/media/file/4395-fire-and-emergency-services-bylawpdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw is cited as “Fire and Emergency Services Bylaw, 2025," … "No. 4395”."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [Fire and Emergency Services Bylaw 4395](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/media/file/4395-fire-and-emergency-services-bylawpdf) bans all open air fires and wood-fired outdoor appliances unless built under a building permit. So campfires, fire pits and wood-burning appliances are not allowed in backyards. Burning for land clearing or construction is prohibited. CSA/ULC-approved propane, natural gas, electric or briquette appliances are allowed on private property, with 3 m clearance from structures, property line and trees when there are no manufacturer instructions.

## Steps

1. Burning permits go only to A-1 Agriculture zoned land, for orchard, berry and vineyard pruning generated on site, burned in daylight and not in June to September. Only the Fire Chief can issue one.
2. The permit fee is $50, non-refundable, covering the application and inspection of the material. A permit lasts 15 days, and signage must be posted where visible from the street.
3. Piles over 60 cm high and 75 cm wide also need Metro Vancouver authorization.

## Good to know

- The Fire Chief may order a ban on fires, including wood, charcoal or briquette grills, in dangerous conditions. At high fire risk the City can ban all outdoor burning except cooking on a grill. Breaking a ban is a ticketable offence. Check the Ministry of Forests burning ban page and the Metro Vancouver Ventilation Index (Zone 3; 604-436-6777).
- Instead of burning, put trimmings in the green cart (collected weekly all year). The City also lists the United Boulevard Recycle and Waste Centre (995 United Boulevard, Coquitlam) for green waste.
- A bylaw notice is $500 for starting an open air fire, burning land for clearing, an unpermitted cooking fire, breaking a fire ban order, or unsafe disposal of yard waste. There is no early-payment discount.

## Official forms and pages

- [Open Air Burning](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/services/public-safety/fire/open-air-burning)
- [Fire and Emergency Services Bylaw 4395 (PDF)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/media/file/4395-fire-and-emergency-services-bylawpdf)

## Related questions

- [Port Coquitlam fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/fireworks.md)
- [Port Coquitlam yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/yard-waste.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/backyard-fire.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/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)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/backyard-fire.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Open Air Burning, City of Port Coquitlam](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/services/public-safety/fire/open-air-burning) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fire and Emergency Services Bylaw 2025, No. 4395 (PDF)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/media/file/4395-fire-and-emergency-services-bylawpdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4415 (PDF)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2026-01/Bylaw%204415%20-%202026%20Fees%20and%20Charges.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3814, Schedule A (PDF)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-10/3814%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Green Waste (Green Cart), City of Port Coquitlam](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/services/waste-collection/green-waste) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Solid Waste Bylaw 3900](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/3900%20%20-%20Solid%20Waste%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Waste Disposal Alternatives, City of Port Coquitlam](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/greycart/waste-disposal-alternatives) (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 City of Port Coquitlam. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/backyard-fire/_