{"title":"Saanich backyard fire and burning rules","question":"Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Saanich?","slug":"backyard-fire","place":{"path":"ca/bc/saanich","name":"Saanich","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":"District of Saanich","url":"https://www.saanich.ca"},"short_answer":"No. In Saanich, open-air burning is banned unless the Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw allows it, including wood in a fire pit or outdoor fireplace. Propane, natural gas and charcoal cooking appliances are allowed. Garden refuse may be burned only outside the Urban Containment Boundary, October 16 to April 30.","aliases":["backyard fire pit saanich","burning yard waste saanich","open burning saanich","campfire bylaw saanich","burn permit saanich"],"cost":"No permit for one pile under 1 m across on the allowed days. A $10 open-air burning permit allows a pile up to 2 m, valid up to 7 days. Halloween bonfire permit $10. Fine without a permit: municipal ticket $150 within 30 days, $200 after; bylaw notice $150.","how_long":"Open burning is banned every year from May 1 to October 15, and the Fire Chief can ban it at other times.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Saanich Fire Department non-emergency (open-air burning questions)","value":"250-475-6111"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Yard and Garden Waste Drop-off (burning alternative)","value":"1040 McKenzie Ave","note":"Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m."},{"type":"phone","label":"Saanich Bylaw Enforcement","value":"250-475-5456","note":"Monday to Friday, normal working hours"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw, 2021, No. 9712 (PDF)","url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/firepreventionandlifesafetybylaw.pdf"},{"title":"Outdoor Burning, District of Saanich","url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/outdoor-burning.html"},{"title":"Halloween Bonfires and Fireworks, District of Saanich","url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/halloween-bonfires-and-fireworks.html"},{"title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 9525 (PDF)","url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/bylawnoticeenforcementbylaw.pdf"},{"title":"Ticket Bylaw, 2010, No. 9029 (PDF)","url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"fireworks","title":"Saanich fireworks rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/fireworks/"},{"slug":"yard-waste","title":"Saanich yard waste collection and drop-off","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/yard-waste/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Saanich bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/oak-bay","name":"Oak Bay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/esquimalt","name":"Esquimalt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/victoria","name":"Victoria","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/view-royal","name":"View Royal","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/central-saanich","name":"Central Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/colwood","name":"Colwood","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/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":"No. Open-air burning is banned unless the bylaw allows it, including wood in a fire pit, chiminea or outdoor fireplace, and beach fires. Allowed: propane or natural gas appliances, and charcoal cooking appliances. Exception: a Halloween bonfire on October 31 only, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., with a $10 permit.","short":"No","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/firepreventionandlifesafetybylaw.pdf","title":"Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw, 2021, No. 9712 (PDF)","section":"ss. 13, 15","quotes":["Open-Air burning is prohibited unless expressly permitted by this bylaw","all Beach Fires are prohibited","a fire fuelled solely by propane, natural gas, charcoal briquettes or lump charcoal"]},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/outdoor-burning.html","title":"Outdoor Burning, District of Saanich","section":"Outdoor Burning page","quotes":["Burning wood in an outdoor fire pit, fireplace, pizza oven or chiminea."]},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/halloween-bonfires-and-fireworks.html","title":"Halloween Bonfires and Fireworks, District of Saanich","section":"Halloween Bonfires","quotes":["You may have a Halloween bonfire on October 31 only, between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.","A special $10 bonfire permit is required."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"open_burning":{"label":"Burning yard waste","value":"Not allowed inside the Urban Containment Boundary. Outside it, on private land, garden refuse from that property may be burned October 16 to April 30, Fridays sunrise to sunset and Saturdays sunrise to noon; one fire at a time, under 1 m across, 7.6 m from buildings, fences and property lines, supervised by someone 19 or older. No burning May 1 to October 15.","short":"No inside Urban Containment Boundary; outside Oct 16-Apr 30","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/firepreventionandlifesafetybylaw.pdf","title":"Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw, 2021, No. 9712 (PDF)","section":"ss. 18, 19","quotes":["Open-Air burning is not permitted within the Urban Containment Boundary","may only take place from and including 16 October of one calendar","Fridays from sunrise to sunset, and","be supervised at all times by a responsible person 19 years of age or older","be located 7.6 metres (25 feet) from any Building or structure, wooden fence"]},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/outdoor-burning.html","title":"Outdoor Burning, District of Saanich","section":"Outdoor Burning page","quotes":["all open burning is Saanich is not permitted from May 1 until October 15 inclusive"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permit":{"label":"Permit","value":"No permit for one pile under 1 m across burned on the allowed days. A $10 open-air burning permit allows a pile up to 2 m, valid up to 7 days, any day sunrise to sunset. Available at the fire stations. The Fire Chief may refuse a permit.","short":"No for one pile under 1 m; $10 permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/firepreventionandlifesafetybylaw.pdf","title":"Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw, 2021, No. 9712 (PDF)","section":"ss. 19(b), 21, Appendix A","quotes":["No Permit is required for such Open-Air","burning unless the fire exceeds 1 metre (3 feet) in diameter","shall be valid for a maximum of seven days from the date of issue","The cost of any Permit issued pursuant to section 21 shall be $10","may, in its discretion, refuse to issue"]},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/outdoor-burning.html","title":"Outdoor Burning, District of Saanich","section":"Outdoor Burning page","quotes":["Fire Station No. 1, 760 Vernon Avenue, (250) 475-5500","Permit fee is $10."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fire_bans":{"label":"Fire bans","value":"The Fire Chief can order any or all open-air burning prohibited, for the whole municipality or an area, for set dates. Notice goes on the District website, to local media and at municipal offices. Burning is already banned every year May 1 to October 15.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/firepreventionandlifesafetybylaw.pdf","title":"Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw, 2021, No. 9712 (PDF)","section":"s. 22","quotes":["the Fire Chief may order that any or all burning in the Open-Air","Notice of any","such ban shall be posted on the Corporation’s website"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"alternatives":{"label":"Instead of burning","value":"Yard trimmings (leaves, grass, prunings, plants, branches) go in the green organics cart collected every two weeks, or to the Yard and Garden Waste Drop-off, 1040 McKenzie Ave (Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). A fall leaf collection also runs.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/utilities-garbage/garbage-organics-recycling/organics-kitchen-scraps-yard-trimmings.html","title":"Organics: Kitchen Scraps and Yard Trimmings, District of Saanich","section":"Organics page","quotes":["We accept items such as leaves, grass clippings, prunings, plants, and branches."]},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/utilities-garbage/garbage-organics-recycling/garden-recycling-drop-off-webcam.html","title":"Garden Recycling Drop-off, District of Saanich","section":"Drop-off page","quotes":["Location: 1040 McKenzie Ave","Monday to Saturday: Open (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)"]},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/utilities-garbage/garbage-organics-recycling/greener-garbage-collection.html","title":"Greener Garbage Collection, District of Saanich","section":"Greener Garbage page","quotes":["One for organics to include kitchen scraps and your yard and garden waste."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"The Outdoor Burning page gives the drop-off address as 1010 McKenzie Avenue; every other Saanich page and the bylaw say 1040 McKenzie Ave, so 1040 is used."},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Municipal ticket: $150 within 30 days, $200 after, for burning without a permit or unauthorized garden-refuse burning; $200/$250 for burning prohibited materials. Bylaw notice: $150 (or $200 for prohibited materials), less $50 if paid within 14 days.","short":"Ticket $150 ($200 after 30 days); notice $150","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.pdf","title":"Ticket Bylaw, 2010, No. 9029 (PDF)","section":"Schedule 26","quotes":["Open Air burning without a permit 13 $150.00 $200.00","Burning Prohibited Materials 14 $200.00 $250.00","Unauthorized Open Air Burning of 19 $150.00 $200.00"]},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/bylawnoticeenforcementbylaw.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 9525 (PDF)","section":"Schedule 26","quotes":["Open Air burning without a","13","$150.00","Burning Prohibited Materials","$200.00"]},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/halloween-bonfires-and-fireworks.html","title":"Halloween Bonfires and Fireworks, District of Saanich","section":"Halloween Bonfires page","quotes":["A municipal ticket for $100 will be issued for any fires without permits."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"The Halloween Bonfires page says a ticket for a fire without a permit is $100; the Ticket Bylaw (consolidated through Amendment 10278) says $150, so the bylaw is followed. Bylaw offence fine on conviction: up to $50,000 (s. 63)."},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw, 2021, No. 9712","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/firepreventionandlifesafetybylaw.pdf","title":"Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw, 2021, No. 9712 (PDF)","section":"title","quotes":["FIRE PREVENTION AND LIFE SAFETY BYLAW, 2021, NO. 9712"]}],"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\nUnder the [Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw, 2021, No. 9712](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/firepreventionandlifesafetybylaw.pdf), open-air burning is banned unless the bylaw allows it. That includes wood in a fire pit, chiminea or outdoor fireplace, and beach fires. Propane or natural gas appliances and charcoal cooking appliances are allowed.\n\n**Garden refuse.** Burning is not allowed inside the Urban Containment Boundary. Outside it, on private land, garden refuse from that property may be burned from October 16 to April 30, on Fridays from sunrise to sunset and Saturdays from sunrise to noon. One fire at a time, under 1 m across, 7.6 m from buildings, fences and property lines, supervised by someone 19 or older. No burning from May 1 to October 15.\n\n**Permits.** No permit is needed for one pile under 1 m across burned on the allowed days. A $10 open-air burning permit allows a pile up to 2 m, valid up to 7 days, any day from sunrise to sunset, from the fire stations. The Fire Chief may refuse a permit.\n\n**Halloween.** A bonfire is allowed on October 31 only, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., with a $10 permit.\n\n**Fire bans.** The Fire Chief can prohibit any or all open-air burning, for the whole municipality or an area, for set dates. Notice goes on the District website, to local media and at municipal offices.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Instead of burning, put yard trimmings in the green organics cart (collected every two weeks) or take them to the Yard and Garden Waste Drop-off, 1040 McKenzie Ave.\n2. For burning questions, call the Saanich Fire Department non-emergency line, 250-475-6111.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Burning without a permit or unauthorized garden-refuse burning: a municipal ticket is $150 within 30 days and $200 after; a bylaw notice is $150 (less $50 if paid within 14 days). Burning prohibited materials is $200/$250 as a ticket, or $200 as a bylaw notice.\n- The [Halloween Bonfires and Fireworks page](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/halloween-bonfires-and-fireworks.html) says a no-permit ticket is $100. The bylaw is followed here.\n- The [Outdoor Burning page](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/outdoor-burning.html) gives the drop-off address as 1010 McKenzie Avenue; every other page and the bylaw say 1040.\n- The Outdoor Burning page asks people to skip burning on poor-venting days posted daily by the Ministry of Environment.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/bylaw-services/bylaw-enforcement-faq.html","title":"Bylaw enforcement FAQ | District of Saanich","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/firepreventionandlifesafetybylaw.pdf","title":"Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw, 2021, No. 9712 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/outdoor-burning.html","title":"Outdoor Burning, District of Saanich","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/halloween-bonfires-and-fireworks.html","title":"Halloween Bonfires and Fireworks, District of Saanich","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/utilities-garbage/garbage-organics-recycling/garden-recycling-drop-off-webcam.html","title":"Garden Recycling Drop-off, District of Saanich","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/utilities-garbage/garbage-organics-recycling/greener-garbage-collection.html","title":"Greener Garbage Collection, District of Saanich","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/utilities-garbage/garbage-organics-recycling/organics-kitchen-scraps-yard-trimmings.html","title":"Organics: Kitchen Scraps and Yard Trimmings, District of Saanich","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/bylawnoticeenforcementbylaw.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 9525 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.pdf","title":"Ticket Bylaw, 2010, No. 9029 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","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/saanich/backyard-fire/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/backyard-fire.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/backyard-fire.json"}}