---
title: Saanich backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Saanich?"
place: Saanich, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/saanich
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Saanich
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/backyard-fire.json"
---

# Saanich backyard fire and burning rules

**Question:** Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Saanich?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Saanich, https://www.saanich.ca)  
**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:**
- Phone: Saanich Fire Department non-emergency (open-air burning questions), 250-475-6111
- In person: Yard and Garden Waste Drop-off (burning alternative), 1040 McKenzie Ave (Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- Phone: Saanich Bylaw Enforcement, 250-475-5456 (Monday to Friday, normal working hours)

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** 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.
  - Source: [Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw, 2021, No. 9712, ss. 13, 15](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/firepreventionandlifesafetybylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Outdoor Burning, Outdoor Burning page](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/outdoor-burning.html)
  - Official wording: "Burning wood in an outdoor fire pit, fireplace, pizza oven or chiminea."
  - Source: [Halloween Bonfires and Fireworks](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/halloween-bonfires-and-fireworks.html)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Burning yard waste:** 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.
  - Source: [Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw, 2021, No. 9712, ss. 18, 19](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/firepreventionandlifesafetybylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Outdoor Burning, Outdoor Burning page](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/outdoor-burning.html)
  - Official wording: "all open burning is Saanich is not permitted from May 1 until October 15 inclusive"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit:** 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.
  - Source: [Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw, 2021, No. 9712, ss. 19(b), 21, Appendix A](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/firepreventionandlifesafetybylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Outdoor Burning, Outdoor Burning page](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/outdoor-burning.html)
  - Official wording: "Fire Station No. 1, 760 Vernon Avenue, (250) 475-5500" … "Permit fee is $10."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fire bans:** 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.
  - Source: [Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw, 2021, No. 9712, s. 22](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/firepreventionandlifesafetybylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Instead of burning:** 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. (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.)
  - Source: [Organics: Kitchen Scraps and Yard Trimmings, Organics page](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/utilities-garbage/garbage-organics-recycling/organics-kitchen-scraps-yard-trimmings.html)
  - Official wording: "We accept items such as leaves, grass clippings, prunings, plants, and branches."
  - Source: [Garden Recycling Drop-off, Drop-off page](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/utilities-garbage/garbage-organics-recycling/garden-recycling-drop-off-webcam.html)
  - Official wording: "Location: 1040 McKenzie Ave" … "Monday to Saturday: Open (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)"
  - Source: [Greener Garbage Collection, Greener Garbage page](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/utilities-garbage/garbage-organics-recycling/greener-garbage-collection.html)
  - Official wording: "One for organics to include kitchen scraps and your yard and garden waste."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** 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. (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).)
  - Source: [Ticket Bylaw, 2010, No. 9029, Schedule 26](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 9525, Schedule 26](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/bylawnoticeenforcementbylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Open Air burning without a" … "13" … "$150.00" … "Burning Prohibited Materials" … "$200.00"
  - Source: [Halloween Bonfires and Fireworks, Halloween Bonfires page](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/halloween-bonfires-and-fireworks.html)
  - Official wording: "A municipal ticket for $100 will be issued for any fires without permits."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw, 2021, No. 9712
  - Source: [Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw, 2021, No. 9712, title](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/firepreventionandlifesafetybylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "FIRE PREVENTION AND LIFE SAFETY BYLAW, 2021, NO. 9712"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under 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.

**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.

**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.

**Halloween.** A bonfire is allowed on October 31 only, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., with a $10 permit.

**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.

## Steps

1. 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.
2. For burning questions, call the Saanich Fire Department non-emergency line, 250-475-6111.

## Good to know

- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The Outdoor Burning page asks people to skip burning on poor-venting days posted daily by the Ministry of Environment.

## Official forms and pages

- [Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw, 2021, No. 9712 (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/firepreventionandlifesafetybylaw.pdf)
- [Outdoor Burning, District of Saanich](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/outdoor-burning.html)
- [Halloween Bonfires and Fireworks, District of Saanich](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/halloween-bonfires-and-fireworks.html)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 9525 (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/bylawnoticeenforcementbylaw.pdf)
- [Ticket Bylaw, 2010, No. 9029 (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Saanich fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/fireworks.md)
- [Saanich yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/yard-waste.md)
- [Saanich bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire.md)
- [Oak Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/backyard-fire.md)
- [Esquimalt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/backyard-fire.md)
- [Victoria](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/backyard-fire.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/backyard-fire.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/backyard-fire.md)
- [Colwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Bylaw enforcement FAQ | District of Saanich](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/bylaw-services/bylaw-enforcement-faq.html) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw, 2021, No. 9712 (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/firepreventionandlifesafetybylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Outdoor Burning, District of Saanich](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/outdoor-burning.html) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Halloween Bonfires and Fireworks, District of Saanich](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/halloween-bonfires-and-fireworks.html) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Garden Recycling Drop-off, District of Saanich](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/utilities-garbage/garbage-organics-recycling/garden-recycling-drop-off-webcam.html) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Greener Garbage Collection, District of Saanich](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/utilities-garbage/garbage-organics-recycling/greener-garbage-collection.html) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Organics: Kitchen Scraps and Yard Trimmings, District of Saanich](https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/utilities-garbage/garbage-organics-recycling/organics-kitchen-scraps-yard-trimmings.html) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 9525 (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/bylawnoticeenforcementbylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Ticket Bylaw, 2010, No. 9029 (PDF)](https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/ticket-bylaw-2010-no-9029.pdf) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Saanich. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/backyard-fire/_