Richmond backyard fire and burning rules
Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Richmond?
Short answer
No. In the City of Richmond, open-air fires of any kind, including campfires, bonfires and portable fire pits, are banned at any time of year. The only exception is an appliance designed and used for cooking food, such as a gas, propane or charcoal barbecue. Yard waste cannot be burned.
Key facts
| Backyard campfires | No. The Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw bans lighting or burning any fire in the open air, or in a portable incinerator, chiminea or other portable appliance, for any purpose, unless expressly exempt. The only exemption is a natural gas, charcoal or propane fuelled outdoor heater, outdoor fireplace, barbecue or other appliance designed and used for cooking food. Richmond Fire-Rescue says backyard, beach and park campfires, bonfires and portable fire pits are not permitted at any time of year.Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw 8306, s. 4.1.1(f), 4.5.1; Frequently Asked Questions, Richmond Fire-Rescue, FAQ 03 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinglight, ignite, start or burn, or cause, suffer or allow to be lighted, any fire in the open air or within any portable incinerator, chiminea or other portable appliance or device for any purpose, unless expressly exempted under Section 4.5.1 of this No permit is required for open air burning: within a natural gas, charcoal, or propane fuelled outdoor heater, outdoor fireplace, barbeque or other appliance designed and used for the Campfires, bonfires and other recreational open fires are not permitted within the City of Richmond at any time Portable fire pits and similar open-flame devices |
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| Burning yard waste | Not for yard waste or residential cleanup. Limited open-air burning may be considered only for qualifying agricultural land and vegetative material, from October 1 to April 30, and needs both a Richmond Fire-Rescue permit and Metro Vancouver authorization. Permit conditions in the bylaw include: an adult attending at all times; one pile of no more than 5 m³; at least 30.5 m from structures, standing timber and watercourses; no burning before 7 a.m.; no fuel added after sunset.Permits, Richmond Fire-Rescue, Outdoor Burning Permits; Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw 8306, s. 4.5.2; Frequently Asked Questions, Richmond Fire-Rescue, FAQ 03, 05 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis permit process is intended for qualifying agricultural land It is not intended for residential yard cleanup, recreational fires or the routine Permitted outdoor burning may only take place between October 1 and April 30. a minimum of one (1) adult must be in attendance at all times during only one burning site pile, no larger than five cubic metres, is not less than 30.5 metres (100 feet) from burning must not commence prior to 7:00 a.m. and no stumps, trees Do not burn yard waste. A homeowner cannot obtain an agricultural permit simply |
| Permit | Agricultural burning only: apply to Richmond Fire-Rescue (download the burn permit application and submit it through the upload form) and also get Metro Vancouver authorization (registration under Bylaw 1355 or an open-burning approval under Bylaw 1082; Metro Vancouver's Open Burning program 604-432-6237, OBER@metrovancouver.org). The Consolidated Fees Bylaw sets a general fire permit fee of $29 (s. 4.3); a burn-specific fee is not stated. Allow at least two weeks for processing.Permits, Richmond Fire-Rescue, Outdoor Burning Permits; Metro Vancouver; Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636, Schedule Dog Licencing, Schedule - Fire Protection and Life Safety · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDownload 2026 Permit Upload Completed Permit A Richmond Fire-Rescue permit does not replace the required Metro Vancouver authorization. registration under the Open Burning Emission Regulation or a separate open-burning approval. 604-432-6237 or OBER@metrovancouver.org Please allow a minimum of two weeks for permit processing. Fees & Cost Recovery Description Section Fee Units Permit 4.3 $29.00 Permit Inspection, first hour 4.3 $114.00 Permit Inspection, subsequent hours or 4.3 $70.00 |
| Fire bans | Richmond's burning rules apply year-round regardless of provincial fire restrictions; a provincial campfire ban ending does not make campfires legal in Richmond. Richmond may add extra restrictions in extreme heat, dry conditions or elevated fire risk. For an approved agricultural burn, check the Metro Vancouver Zone 1 ventilation forecast each day. Questions: Richmond Fire-Rescue 604-278-5131.Frequently Asked Questions, Richmond Fire-Rescue, FAQ 03, 06, 07; Permits, Richmond Fire-Rescue, Metro Vancouver Burning Information · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA provincial campfire ban ending does not make campfires legal inside Richmond. Richmond may also introduce additional restrictions during periods of extreme heat, dry conditions or elevated fire risk. contact Richmond Fire-Rescue through the online contact page or call 604-278-5131. Check the daily burning forecast for Zone 1, which includes Richmond, before starting or continuing an authorized burn. |
| Instead of burning | Put yard and garden trimmings in the Green Cart (collected weekly), or drop them at the Richmond Recycling Depot, 5555 Lynas Lane: first cubic yard free for residents, then $25 per cubic yard. Ecowaste Industries, 15500 Blundell Rd, also takes yard trimmings (City page gives no fee). Metro Vancouver also lists chipping, grinding, shredding, composting and mulching.Green Cart Recycling, Steps to recycle; Utility Rates, Recycling and Solid Waste Management; Yard Trimmings Drop-off, intro; Permits, Richmond Fire-Rescue, Metro Vancouver Resources · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingby 7:30 a.m. each week on your designated collection day Recycle food scraps, food soiled paper, and yard trimmings in your Green Cart. Richmond residents can drop off yard trimmings at the City Recycling Depot free of charge, in amounts less than one cubic yard. For subsequent cubic yards there is a fee of $25.00 per cubic yard. Richmond residents can drop off yard trimmings at the City Recycling Depot free of charge Ecowaste Industries Limited Review options such as chipping, grinding, shredding, composting, |
| Fine | Bylaw notice (Bylaw 8122 Schedule A): $200 for open-air burning without a permit ($150 if paid within 28 days; $250 if paid after 60 days); $200 for failing to comply with open-air burning permit conditions. In parks: an open flame or wood stove, camp stove or barbecue $200 ($150 early; $250 late). The City can also bill attendance by Fire-Rescue: $576 per vehicle for the first hour and $294 per half hour after.Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw 8122, Schedule A, Schedule A - Fire Protection Bylaw 8306; Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw 8122, Schedule A, Schedule A - Parks Bylaw 8771; Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636, Schedule Dog Licencing, Schedule - Fire Protection and Life Safety · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOpen Air Burning without permit 4.1.1 (f) No $ 200.00 $ 150.00 $ 250.00 n/a Failure to Comply with open air permit 4.5.3 No $ 200.00 $ 150.00 $ 250.00 n/a Open flame or wood stove, camp stove or 2.7.4(a) No $ 200.00 $ 150.00 $ 250.00 n/a Attendance – open air burning without permit 4.5.1 $576.00 per vehicle subsequent half-hour or part thereof |
| Bylaw | Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 8306 (Part Four, Permits).Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw 8306, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFIRE PROTECTION and LIFE SAFETY BYLAW NO. 8306 |
How it works
Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw 8306 bans lighting or burning any fire in the open air, or in a portable incinerator, chiminea or other portable appliance, for any purpose, unless expressly exempt. The only exemption is a natural gas, charcoal or propane outdoor heater, outdoor fireplace, barbecue or other appliance designed and used for cooking food. Richmond Fire-Rescue says backyard, beach and park campfires, bonfires and portable fire pits are not permitted at any time of year. In parks and on beaches, open fires and wood or charcoal barbecues are not permitted.
Good to know
- Richmond's rules apply year-round regardless of provincial fire restrictions. A provincial campfire ban ending does not make campfires legal in Richmond. Richmond may add restrictions in extreme heat or dry conditions.
- Wood and wood chips are not allowed as fuel in outdoor cooking appliances, according to Richmond Fire-Rescue.
- Yard waste and residential cleanup cannot be burned. Use the Green Cart (collected weekly), or the Richmond Recycling Depot at 5555 Lynas Lane.
- Limited open-air burning may be considered only for qualifying agricultural land, from October 1 to April 30. It needs both a Richmond Fire-Rescue permit and Metro Vancouver authorization (Metro Vancouver's Open Burning program, 604-432-6237). Allow at least two weeks for processing.
- Burning without a permit can also lead to a charge for Fire-Rescue attendance: $576 per vehicle for the first hour and $294 per half hour after.
- A bylaw notice for open-air burning without a permit is $200 ($150 early, $250 late). Failing to follow permit conditions is also $200. In parks, an open flame, wood stove, camp stove or barbecue is $200.
- Call 9-1-1 for a fire that is out of control. For other questions, call Richmond Fire-Rescue at 604-278-5131.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Vancouver · Burnaby · North Vancouver · New Westminster · Delta · District of North Vancouver
Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Frequently Asked Questions, Richmond Fire-Rescue (read 2026-11-05)
- Permits, Richmond Fire-Rescue (read 2026-11-05)
- Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw 8306 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw 8122, Schedule A (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Yard Trimmings Drop-off, City of Richmond (read 2026-11-05)
- Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636, Schedule Dog Licencing (read 2026-11-05)
- Green Cart Recycling, City of Richmond (read 2026-11-05)
- Utility Rates, City of Richmond (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. How answers are checked.