Princeton backyard fire and burning rules
Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Princeton?
Short answer
In Princeton, a backyard campfire for warmth or cooking is allowed if it follows the rules in Fire Bylaw 997: a pit no bigger than 0.5 m by 0.5 m, 5 m clear of buildings and trees, and attended. Burning yard waste is not allowed. Check for a fire ban first.
Key facts
| Backyard campfires | Allowed for warmth or cooking on private property if: the fire pit is non-combustible, no bigger than 0.5 m x 0.5 m, with flames and fuel no more than 0.5 m wide and 0.5 m high; at least 5 m from property lines, buildings and trees or other combustibles, with a 5 m fuel-free break; only dry untreated lumber or seasoned firewood; attended at all times with 8 litres of water (or a hose) and a shovel; and no fire ban or order is in force. No annoyance to others.Volunteer Fire Department Bylaw No. 997, 2021, Schedule C, s. 1(a), (f), (g), (h); Volunteer Fire Department Bylaw No. 997, 2021, s. 2, "Back yard campfire" · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingA person must not light, ignite or start, or permit, suffer, or allow to be lighted, ignited, or started, a campfire except for warmth or preparation of food is located at least 5 meters from adjacent property lines is surrounded by a 5-metre fuel-free fire break Only dry untreated lumber or seasoned firewood may be used for fuel. 8 litres of water in one or more containers at the site of the fire pit means an open fire that burns seasoned firewood in one pile |
|---|---|
| Burning yard waste | Burning yard waste is not allowed. 'Prohibited materials' include garden waste, leaves and green branches, and a person lighting a backyard campfire or other outdoor fire or open burning must not burn prohibited materials.Volunteer Fire Department Bylaw No. 997, 2021, s. 2 "Prohibited Materials"; s. 9.3(b); Volunteer Fire Department Bylaw No. 997, 2021, Schedule C s. 1(g) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordinggarden waste, leaves, green branches not burn prohibited materials Leaves, grass, hay, garden or woodland debris branches or other compostable waste or prohibited materials must not be burned in a backyard campfire |
| Permit | None set. The Fire Bylaw sets no burning permit or fee for backyard campfires.Read: Volunteer Fire Department Bylaw No. 997, 2021 |
| Fire bans | The Fire Chief can restrict or prohibit burning, backyard campfires, smoking, camping or gathering when conditions risk fires, by verbal notice, by posting at the Town's public notice posting place and on web sites and other methods. Everyone must obey a restriction, and must check for a fire ban or restriction under Provincial Regulation or a Fire Chief notice before lighting a fire.Volunteer Fire Department Bylaw No. 997, 2021, ss. 5.5, 5.6, 9.3(d) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingthe Fire Chief may, verbally, by posting a notice, at the Town’s public notice posting place every person must observe any fire restriction or prohibition notified under this Bylaw check for a fire ban or restriction by Provincial Regulation or by a notification |
| Instead of burning | Compostable waste at the Princeton & District Landfill (171 Princeton-Summerland Road): under 250 kg accepted daily free; noxious weeds and infested vegetation free; all other compostable waste $140 a tonne on the Town's 2026/27 fee sheet (Schedule J text says per visit).Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule J, Landfill, Schedule J, J03, J04, J05; Princeton and District Landfill, Landfill page; 2026/27 Schedule J Landfill Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingJ03 Compostable Waste under 250 kg $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - J04 Noxious Weeds and/or Infested Vegetation $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - J05 All other Compostable Waste $ 115.00 $ 120.00 $ 125.00 $ 130.00 $ 140.00 Location: 171 Princeton-Summerland Road Under 250 kg (accepted daily) FREE Noxious Weeds and/or Infested Vegetation FREE All other compostable waste $140/tonne |
| Fine | Burn prohibited materials: $125. Fail to comply with the backyard campfire rules (Schedule C): $125. Cause an annoyance: $125. Fail to comply with a fire restriction: $1,000.Volunteer Fire Department Bylaw No. 997, 2021, Schedule D · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBurn prohibited materials 9.3(b) $125.00 Fail to comply with Schedule “C” 9.3(c) $125.00 Fail to comply with fire restriction 9.3(d) $1,000.00 Cause an annoyance 9.3(a) $125.00 |
| Bylaw | Town of Princeton Volunteer Fire Department Bylaw No. 997, 2021 (campfire rules in Schedule C)Volunteer Fire Department Bylaw No. 997, 2021, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe Town of Princeton Volunteer Fire Department Bylaw No. 997, 2021 |
How it works
The Volunteer Fire Department Bylaw No. 997, 2021 allows a backyard campfire for warmth or cooking on private property if all of these are met:
- the fire pit is non-combustible and no bigger than 0.5 m by 0.5 m, with flames and fuel no more than 0.5 m wide and 0.5 m high
- it is at least 5 m from property lines, buildings and trees or other combustibles, with a 5 m fuel-free break
- only dry untreated lumber or seasoned firewood is burned
- it is attended at all times, with 8 litres of water (or a hose) and a shovel
- no fire ban or order is in force, and the fire does not annoy others
Burning yard waste is not allowed. Prohibited materials include garden waste, leaves and green branches.
Steps
- Check for a Fire Chief restriction or a provincial prohibition before you light a fire.
- Set up the pit to the sizes and distances above.
- Stay with the fire and put it out fully.
Good to know
- The Fire Chief can restrict or prohibit burning, campfires, smoking, camping or gathering by verbal notice, by posting at the Town's public notice posting place, and on web sites. The bylaw names no single page to check; call the Fire Department non-emergency line at 250-295-3325 or Town Hall at 250-295-3135.
- The bylaw sets no burning permit or fee for backyard campfires.
- Instead of burning, take yard waste to the Princeton and District Landfill (171 Princeton-Summerland Road): compostable waste under 250 kg is free each day, and noxious weeds are free. See the yard-waste answer.
- Tickets: $125 for burning prohibited materials, breaking the campfire rules or causing an annoyance; $1,000 for failing to follow a fire restriction.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Keremeos · Summerland · Hope · Penticton · Peachland · Oliver
Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Volunteer Fire Department Bylaw No. 997, 2021 (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
- Princeton and District Landfill, Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule J, Landfill (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
- 2026/27 Schedule J Landfill Fees (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
- Contact Us, Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
- Emergency Services, Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set. How answers are checked.