{"title":"Prince Rupert backyard fire and burning rules","question":"Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste?","slug":"backyard-fire","place":{"path":"ca/bc/prince-rupert","name":"Prince Rupert","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"bylaws-and-complaints","name":"Bylaws, noise and complaints"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Prince Rupert","url":"https://www.princerupert.ca"},"short_answer":"In Prince Rupert, an open air fire of any kind needs a $20 permit from the Fire Chief. The only exception is a small confined fire used for cooking food, such as in a grill, fireplace, propane fire place or barbecue. The bylaw has no separate rule for backyard fire pits.","aliases":["open burning permit","burn garden waste","fire pit prince rupert","campfire in backyard","burning ban"],"cost":"Open air burning permit $20. Court fine $50 to $10,000 per offence.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Fire Department","value":"250-624-5115"},{"type":"phone","label":"Fire Chief","value":"250-627-1248"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 3663, 2025 (PDF)","url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/media/2153"}],"related":[{"slug":"fireworks","title":"Prince Rupert fireworks rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/fireworks/"},{"slug":"noise-rules","title":"Prince Rupert noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/noise-rules/"},{"slug":"unsightly-property","title":"Prince Rupert unsightly property rules and how to report","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/unsightly-property/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Prince Rupert bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/port-edward","name":"Port Edward","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kitimat","name":"Kitimat","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/terrace","name":"Terrace","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/smithers","name":"Smithers","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/telkwa","name":"Telkwa","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/telkwa/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/houston","name":"Houston","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/backyard-fire/"}],"topic":{"title":"Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire/"},"facts":{"campfires":{"label":"Backyard campfires","value":"The fire bylaw has no separate rule for recreational campfires or fire pits. An open air fire of any kind needs a Fire Chief permit; the only no-permit exception is a small confined fire used for cooking food in fireplaces, grills, propane fire places and barbecues. No fire may give off opaque or dense smoke.","short":"No campfire rule; open fires need a permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/media/2153","title":"Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 3663, 2025 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","section":"s. 63, 69","quotes":["No Person shall light, ignite, or start, or allow or cause to be lit, ignited or started, an open air fire of any kind whatsoever","small confined fires may be set and used for cooking food in fireplaces, grills, propane fire places and barbecues"]},{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/media/2423","title":"Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 3558, 2025 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","section":"s. 8.2","quotes":["No PERSON may set out, start or kindle a fire that emits opaque or dense SMOKE, or noxious odours."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"open_burning":{"label":"Burning yard waste","value":"Needs an open air fire permit from the Fire Chief. Permits may be issued for fire training, brush, stumps and slash from clearing land, dry garden refuse, City burning and clean untreated lumber. Burning household garbage is not allowed. Council may set a 'clean up' period when garden and household refuse can be burned without a permit, outdoors, in residential zones, in daylight.","short":"Only with a Fire Chief permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/media/2153","title":"Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 3663, 2025 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","section":"s. 63-65","quotes":["the burning of dry garden Refuse","Council may officially designate a specific “clean up” period during which Persons may, without a Permit, burn garden and","on private property located in areas designated as “Residential Zones” in the City’s current zoning bylaw"]},{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/media/638","title":"Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 3297, 2010 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","section":"s. 2(g)","quotes":["shall not foul or contaminate the atmosphere by burning household garbage"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permit":{"label":"Permit","value":"Yes: an open air burning permit from the Fire Chief, $20. The Fire Chief may refuse it if the fire would likely be hazardous or a nuisance, and may add conditions.","short":"Yes, $20","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/media/2153","title":"Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 3663, 2025 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","section":"s. 63, 68, 80; Fee schedule E","quotes":["obtaining a Permit from the Fire Chief","Open air burning permit $20.00","The Fire Chief may refuse to issue a Permit if, in their opinion, the proposed fire would"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fire_bans":{"label":"Fire bans","value":"Prince Rupert has no set ban procedure: the Fire Chief may close forested areas by written order, and the permit is refused if a fire would be hazardous. BC Wildfire Service fire bans usually do not apply inside municipalities, which set their own, so ask the Fire Department (250-624-5115).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/media/2153","title":"Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 3663, 2025 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","section":"s. 63(b), 75","quotes":["except in accordance with any restrictions or requirements imposed under the","The Fire Chief may, by written order, close any forested or woodland area or any portion"]},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions","title":"Fire Prohibitions and Restrictions - Province of British Columbia","section":"Where BC Wildfire Service orders apply","quotes":["Typically, BCWS open fire prohibition and equipment/activity prohibition orders will specify that they do not apply within municipal boundaries","Municipalities typically implement their own open fire prohibitions that may follow or vary from BCWS prohibitions."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"alternatives":{"label":"Instead of burning","value":"No curbside yard waste collection. Yard waste can go to the City landfill, 500 Ridley Island Road (listed under the recyclable-material rate, $19.90 per tonne, $6 minimum for residents paying by cash or card).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/services/garbage-and-recycling/curbside-recycling","title":"Curbside Recycling, City of Prince Rupert","section":"FAQ","quotes":["Will the City be collecting yard waste? Not at this time."]},{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/sites/7/files/2026-06/Brochure%20-%20Prince%20Rupert%20Landfill-2026.pdf","title":"2026 Prince Rupert Landfill Brochure (PDF)","section":"2026 fees","quotes":["$19.90 / tonne $22.30/ tonne unless otherwise specified.","Recyclable Material ($6.00 min-300kg or less) ($6.00 min-270kg or less)","Yard Waste “ “ measured on the Landfill scale."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Court fine $50 to $10,000 per offence, each day a separate offence; the bylaw may be enforced by ticket under Ticket Information Bylaw 2783. That ticket schedule lists $50 for unauthorized burning, but under the section numbers of the repealed Fire Bylaw 2944.","short":"$50 to $10,000 on conviction","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/media/2153","title":"Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 3663, 2025 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","section":"s. 95-97","quotes":["a fine of not less than $50.00 and not more than $10,000.00","This Bylaw may be enforced by means of a ticket issued under the City of Prince Rupert"]},{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/media/664","title":"Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2783 (consolidated to 2000) (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","section":"Schedule H","quotes":["Unauthorized burning 7.01 $50.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 3663, 2025","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/media/2153","title":"Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 3663, 2025 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","section":"s. 1","quotes":["City of Prince Rupert Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 3663, 2025"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\n[Fire Control and Protection Bylaw 3663](https://www.princerupert.ca/media/2153) requires a permit from the Fire Chief for any open air fire. The only exception is a small confined fire used for cooking food, in fireplaces, grills, propane fire places and barbecues. The bylaw has no separate rule for recreational campfires or fire pits, and it does not define \"open air fire\", so whether a backyard fire pit used for warmth is covered is unclear. Confirm with the Fire Chief. No fire may give off opaque or dense smoke.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Ask the Fire Department (250-624-5115) or the Fire Chief (250-627-1248) how to apply. The permit is on a form set by the Fire Chief.\n2. Pay the $20 fee.\n3. Stay with the fire until it is out.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Permits may be issued for fire training, brush, stumps and slash from clearing land, dry garden refuse, City burning and clean untreated lumber. The Fire Chief may refuse a permit if the fire would likely be hazardous or a nuisance, and may add conditions.\n- Burning household garbage is not allowed.\n- Council may set a \"clean up\" period when garden and household refuse can be burned without a permit, outdoors, in residential zones and in daylight. No current period was found.\n- The person in charge of a permitted or cooking fire must stay with it until it is out.\n- No City burning-ban page was found. The Fire Chief may close forested areas by written order. BC Wildfire Service bans usually do not apply inside a municipality, which sets its own, so ask the Fire Department.\n- There is no curbside yard waste collection. Yard waste can go to the City landfill; see the yard waste answer.\n- Penalty: a court fine of $50 to $10,000 per offence, each day a separate offence. The bylaw can also be enforced by ticket under MTI Bylaw 2783. Its schedule lists $50 for unauthorized burning, but under the section numbers of the repealed fire bylaw, so ask the City what applies.\n- The Good Neighbour Bylaw (Part 8) also covers nuisance smoke.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/media/2153","title":"Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 3663, 2025 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/city-hall/departments/fire-department","title":"Fire Department, City of Prince Rupert","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/media/2423","title":"Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 3558, 2025 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/media/638","title":"Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 3297, 2010 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/media/664","title":"Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2783 (consolidated to 2000) (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions","title":"Fire Prohibitions and Restrictions - Province of British Columbia","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/services/garbage-and-recycling/curbside-recycling","title":"Curbside Recycling, City of Prince Rupert","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/sites/7/files/2026-06/Brochure%20-%20Prince%20Rupert%20Landfill-2026.pdf","title":"2026 Prince Rupert Landfill Brochure (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/backyard-fire/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/backyard-fire.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/backyard-fire.json"}}