Qualicum Beach backyard fire and burning rules
Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Qualicum Beach?
Short answer
In Qualicum Beach, an outdoor fireplace (a fire no bigger than 0.5 m across and high) needs no permit from March 15 to November 1. Burning yard waste needs a $45 permit and is limited to larger farm parcels. No fires are allowed during a fire ban. Tickets are $200.
Key facts
| Backyard campfires | An outdoor fireplace (a non-combustible appliance with a grate and screen, fire no bigger than 0.5 m across and 0.5 m high, including chimineas and fire rings, or a three-sided permanent masonry/rock/metal structure) may be used without a permit between March 15 and November 1. A person 19 or older must be present; burn only clean, dry firewood; no heavy smoke; keep it at least 3.0 m from neighbouring properties, buildings, overhead wiring and highways. Beach fires are not allowed. Barbecues are allowed.Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 715, 2018, s. 5, s. 1; Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 715, 2018, s. 3(e), 4(a); Burn Permits, Outdoor Burning FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFires in an Outdoor Fireplace may be started and maintained without a permit between March 15th and November 1st subject to General Regulations of this built for containing a fire not larger than 0.5m in diameter and 0.5m in height within 3.0 metres from all neighboring properties, buildings, a person nineteen years of age or older is present at all times No. Provincial Legislation does not permit beach fires at any time. Yes! Barbeques are permitted. |
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| Burning yard waste | Only with a permit, and only on parcels of 1.0 ha or more that are in the Agricultural Land Reserve or have Farm Class 09 status, with material that came from the same property, for agriculture or property maintenance, between March 15 and April 5 or October 15 and November 5, and with no fire ban. The fire may be no more than 2 m² in area or 3 m high and more than 10 m from property lines, buildings, wiring and highways, with water on hand.Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 715, 2018, s. 15-21; Burn Permits, Outdoor Burning FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingGarden Refuse Fires shall require a permit issued by the Fire Chief that are 1.0 ha or larger, within the Agricultural Land Reserve or have a Farm only be permitted between March 15th and April 5th the fire does not exceed two square metres in area or three metres in height Your property is designated in the Agricultural Land Reserve. You are burning materials that originated on your property. |
| Permit | Needed for garden refuse and agricultural clearing fires, issued by the Fire Chief through Town Hall (email the fillable PDF to qbtown@qualicumbeach.com or apply in person at #201-660 Primrose Street; agricultural clearing applications and payment together by mail or in person). Fee: $45 (the Town's fee schedule lists Burning Permits at $45; the agricultural clearing permit form says $45 plus GST). No permit is needed for an outdoor fireplace.Miscellaneous Rates Bylaw No. 638, 2009, consolidated, Sched. A, item a; Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 715, 2018, Sched. A (permit form); Burn Permits, Fire Permit Application for Garden Refuse · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording(Bylaw No. 638.01 & 638.08) ITEM FEE a) Burning Permits $ 45.00 b) Business Licence List $ 35.00 c) Print of Bylaw No. 590 - Official Community Plan (text & maps $ 60.00 Permit Fee: $45.00 + GST Email: Complete the fillable PDF form and send it to qbtown@qualicumbeach.com |
| Fire bans | No outdoor fire of any kind may be lit if the Province has imposed a fire ban or restriction anywhere within 25 km of Qualicum Beach. The Town can also restrict or ban fires by public notice in the local newspaper and on its website. Check Coastal Fire Centre bans on the BC government website.Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 715, 2018, s. 3(d), 22(e); Burn Permits, Related Links · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOutdoor Fire if the province has imposed any fire ban or fire restriction restrict or ban some or all fires within the Town of Qualicum Beach by During a provincial fire ban, all outdoor burning is prohibited. |
| Instead of burning | Put yard waste in the green organics cart (collected weekly): leaves, grass and light trimmings up to 1.5 cm thick and 60 cm long. Branches can go to the Town's spring and fall chipping program, or to the RDN transfer station at 860 Church Road, Parksville.Curbside Collection Program Overview, Regional District of Nanaimo, Accepted types of organic waste; Wood Chipping Program · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingLeaves, grass, and light trimmings are accepted. No larger than 1.5 cm (0.5 inches) in diameter; and, providing residents with the convenience of placing branches curbside for easy collection. 860 Church Road, Parksville |
| Fine | Municipal ticket: $200 for most offences (burning without a permit, burning during a ban, fire too close to neighbours, no one 19+ present, excess smoke). Obstructing an officer: $500.Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 626, consolidated to 626.07, Sched. 9, items 1-22 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingLight, ignite, start, allow or cause any Obstruct officer from carrying out $200.00 $500.00 |
| Bylaw | Town of Qualicum Beach Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 715, 2018Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 715, 2018, s. 26 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis bylaw may be cited as “Town of Qualicum Beach Outdoor Burning Bylaw |
How it works
The Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 715 allows two kinds of fire.
Outdoor fireplace (no permit). This is a non-combustible appliance with a grate and screen, with a fire no bigger than 0.5 m across and 0.5 m high (including chimineas and fire rings), or a three-sided permanent masonry, rock or metal structure. It may be used from March 15 to November 1. A person 19 or older must be present, burn only clean, dry firewood, avoid heavy smoke, and keep it at least 3.0 m from neighbouring properties, buildings, overhead wiring and highways. Beach fires are not allowed. Barbecues are allowed.
Open burning (permit). Only on parcels of 1.0 ha or more that are in the Agricultural Land Reserve or have Farm Class 09 status. The material must come from the same property, for agriculture or property maintenance, and burned between March 15 and April 5 or October 15 and November 5, with no fire ban. The fire may be no more than 2 m² in area or 3 m high, more than 10 m from property lines, buildings, wiring and highways, with water on hand.
Steps to get a burn permit
- Fill in the permit form on the Town's burn permits page.
- Email it to qbtown@qualicumbeach.com or bring it to Town Hall. Agricultural clearing applications and payment go together, by mail or in person.
- Pay $45. The Fire Chief issues the permit.
Good to know
- No outdoor fire of any kind may be lit if the Province has imposed a fire ban or restriction anywhere within 25 km of Qualicum Beach. The Town can also ban fires by public notice. Check the current Coastal Fire Centre bans on the BC government website.
- Instead of burning, put yard waste in the green organics cart or use the Town's chipping program. See the yard waste answer.
- Most offences are a $200 ticket. Obstructing an officer is $500.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Parksville · Lantzville · Port Alberni · Nanaimo · Sechelt · Comox
Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 715, 2018 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Burn Permits, Town of Qualicum Beach (read 2026-11-06)
- Miscellaneous Rates Bylaw No. 638, 2009, consolidated (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 626, consolidated to 626.07 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Wood Chipping Program, Town of Qualicum Beach (read 2026-11-06)
- Curbside Collection Program Overview, Regional District of Nanaimo (read 2026-11-06)
- Solid Waste Disposal Facilities, Regional District of Nanaimo (read 2026-11-06)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.