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Revelstoke backyard fire and burning rules

Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Revelstoke?

Revelstoke, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In the City of Revelstoke you may have a small "special occasion" fire in a fire pit for cooking and social gatherings without a permit. Other open burning is allowed only with written authorization, and only for FireSmart projects. Burners must also follow provincial rules.

Key facts

Backyard campfiresYes. Small 'Special Occasion' fires in a fire pit for cooking and social gatherings need no authorization, all year. Pit generally under 60 cm x 60 cm, seasoned dry cordwood, away from anything that could ignite; not for repeated burning. A competent person aged 19+ must stay, with a hose, shovel and 20 litre pail on site.Fire Prevention, Protection and Control Services Bylaw No. 1772, consolidated, s. 5.01, 5.03(e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Open air burning within the City limits is permissible without an authorization for the
purpose of Special Occasion fires only.
Pit size is generally less than 60 cm x 60 cm (2’ x 2’) in diameter and fuel consists of seasoned and dry cordwood.
are not intended for repeated burning whenever desired by the home owner or resident.
Use of burning barrels and wood stoves is strictly prohibited for the purpose of open air burning.
least 19 years of age is in charge of the burn at all times and until the fire is
hose line, a shovel, and a filled 20 litre water pail to effectively control, suppress and
Burning yard wasteOnly with written authorization, and only for FireSmart projects: controlled burns of vegetative material that is a fire hazard, after a site viewing. The material must come from the same property. Application is made at the Fire Hall.Fire Prevention, Protection and Control Services Bylaw No. 1772, consolidated, ss. 5.02, 5.03(c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Open air burning within the City limits is permissible with a written authorization for Fire Smart related projects.
the materials burned must originate from the parcel of land or property where the burning takes place
must make application at the Fire Hall.
No person shall light or start, or knowingly permit, or cause to be started, ignited, or continued, a fire of any kind, whatsoever, in the open air at any time in the City unless it is done so in compliance with this bylaw.
PermitNo permit for Special Occasion fires. Written authorization from the Fire Chief is needed for FireSmart burns, applied for at the Fire Hall. No fee found.Fire Prevention, Protection and Control Services Bylaw No. 1772, consolidated, ss. 5.01, 5.02, 5.03(g) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Open air burning within the City limits is permissible without an authorization for the
purpose of Special Occasion fires only.
Where authorization is required, application must be made at the Fire Hall.
“Authorization” means written approval acquired from the Fire Chief.
Fire bansInside city limits the City bylaw applies, and burners must also satisfy provincial legislation where applicable. The Southeast Fire Centre (BC Wildfire Service) sets bans outside city limits; its prohibitions page lists them. The City says suspensions of municipal burning will be advertised. The Fire Chief may order any fire out.Fire Regulations; Open Air Burning regulations, General Information; Fire Prevention, Protection and Control Services Bylaw No. 1772, consolidated, s. 5.03(k) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
The Southeast Fire Centre, on behalf of BC Wildfire Service, set the fire bans for areas outside of city-limits for South East British Columbia
Fires within city-limits are subject to the regulations and bylaws below.
Suspensions of municipal burning will be advertised.
The Fire Chief may order persons engaged in open air burning to extinguish a fire at any time
Persons engaged in open air burning must satisfy all provincial legislation, where
The Fire Chief may order persons engaged in open air burning to extinguish a fire at
Instead of burningNot confirmed. The City's fire pages do not name a yard-waste disposal option.
FineBylaw notice: $500 for most open-burning offences (burning prohibited materials, non-compliant fire, burning without authorization, no competent person or equipment on site, non-conforming item). Municipal ticket: $1,000 for most of these ($500 for a non-conforming item).Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2370, Schedule, Schedule B, Fire Prevention bylaw; Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 2082, Schedule 2, Schedule 2, Fire Prevention bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
5.03(f) Burning without Authorization $500.00 N/A $500.00 No
5.03(c) Non-Compliant fire $500.00 N/A $500.00 No
Non-compliant fire 5.03(c) $1000.00 N/A
Burning without Authorization 5.03(f) $1000.00 N/A
Use of Non-conforming Item 5.03(e) $500.00 N/A
BylawFire Prevention, Protection and Control Services Bylaw No. 1772Fire Prevention, Protection and Control Services Bylaw No. 1772, consolidated, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
FIRE PREVENTION, PROTECTION AND CONTROL SERVICES BYLAW NO. 1772

How it works

Under the Fire Prevention, Protection and Control Services Bylaw No. 1772, a small "special occasion" fire in a fire pit for cooking and social gatherings needs no authorization, all year. Any other open fire is banned unless the bylaw allows it. The only other permitted open burning is a controlled FireSmart burn, with written authorization.

Steps

  1. For a special occasion fire, use a pit generally under 60 cm x 60 cm and seasoned dry cordwood, away from anything that could ignite. It is not for repeated burning.
  2. Keep a competent person aged 19 or older in charge until the fire is out, with a hose, a shovel and a filled 20 litre pail on site.
  3. For a FireSmart burn of vegetative material that is a fire hazard, apply at the Fire Hall for written authorization. The Fire Chief views the site first, and the material must come from the same property.

Good to know

  • Do not burn dimensional lumber, demolition waste, paper or cardboard. A minimal amount of non-inked paper to start the fire is allowed.
  • No burning when weather creates a hazard or nuisance. The Fire Chief can order any fire out or designate no-burn areas.
  • Burners must also satisfy provincial legislation where it applies. The Southeast Fire Centre (BC Wildfire Service) sets bans outside city limits, and its prohibitions page lists current ones. The City says suspensions of municipal burning will be advertised; check with the Fire Hall for the current status.
  • The City advises telling your neighbours in advance.
  • Fines: a bylaw notice is $500 for most open-burning offences, and a municipal ticket is $1,000 for most of them ($500 for a non-conforming item).

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Enderby · Nakusp · Armstrong · Spallumcheen · Golden · Lumby

Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Fire Prevention, Protection and Control Services Bylaw No. 1772, consolidated (PDF), City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Fire Regulations, City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Open Air Burning regulations (PDF), City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 2082, Schedule 2 (PDF), City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2370, Schedule (PDF), City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.