{"title":"Sayward backyard fire and burning rules","question":"Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Sayward?","slug":"backyard-fire","place":{"path":"ca/bc/sayward","name":"Sayward","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":"Village of Sayward","url":"https://www.sayward.ca"},"short_answer":"In Sayward, any open-air fire needs a permit from the Fire Chief, and burning is allowed only for dry garden refuse when there is no alternative. The permit is $75 by the Fees and Charges Bylaw, though the Burning Permits page says $50, and is valid seven days. No permits are issued during a fire ban.","aliases":["backyard fire Sayward","burning permit Sayward","campfire permit Sayward","burn yard waste Sayward"],"cost":"Permit fee: $75 (Fees and Charges Bylaw, Schedule J). The Burning Permits web page says $50, so confirm. Fine on conviction: up to $2,000, up to six months in jail, or both.","how_long":"Each permit is valid for seven days only.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Village Office (open Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed holidays)","value":"250-282-5512"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Village Office","value":"652 H'Kusam Way, Sayward, BC"},{"type":"online","label":"Online Bylaw Complaint Form","value":"https://www.sayward.ca/form/bylaw-complaint-form"},{"type":"phone","label":"Fire Chief","value":"250-282-5505"},{"type":"online","label":"Burning Permits page","value":"https://www.sayward.ca/node/947"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw No. 272, 1995 (PDF)","url":"https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2021-06/Bylaw%20272%20-%20Residential%20Backyard%20Burning.pdf"},{"title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 451 (consolidated, PDF)","url":"https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2026-05/Bylaw%20451%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20Consolidated%20Version%2C%20for%20convenience%20only%20-%20updated%202026.pdf"},{"title":"Burning Permits, Village of Sayward","url":"https://www.sayward.ca/node/947"},{"title":"Fire Prohibitions & Latest News, Village of Sayward","url":"https://www.sayward.ca/node/726"}],"related":[{"slug":"fireworks","title":"Sayward fireworks rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sayward/fireworks/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/campbell-river","name":"Campbell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/gold-river","name":"Gold River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/tahsis","name":"Tahsis","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tahsis/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/alert-bay","name":"Alert Bay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/alert-bay/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/courtenay","name":"Courtenay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cumberland","name":"Cumberland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/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":"A permit from the Fire Chief is required for any fire of any kind in the open air, January 1 to December 31 (s. 1.04(2)(e)). Charcoal fires in barbecues and hibachis for cooking food are not \"open burning\".","short":"Only with a Fire Chief permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2021-06/Bylaw%20272%20-%20Residential%20Backyard%20Burning.pdf","title":"Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw No. 272, 1995 (PDF)","section":"s. 1.04(2)(e)","quotes":["no persons shall light, start, ignite or maintain any fire of any kind in the open air between the first day of January and the thirty-first day of December without firstly obtaining a permit from the Fire Chief"]},{"url":"https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2021-06/Bylaw%20272%20-%20Residential%20Backyard%20Burning.pdf","title":"Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw No. 272, 1995 (PDF)","section":"s. 1.02","quotes":["but it does not include charcoal fires contained within barbecues and hibachis for the purpose of cooking food"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"open_burning":{"label":"Burning yard waste","value":"Only dry, segregated garden refuse, with a permit, and only if no alternative (leaf collection, drop-off, chipping) is available. Fire at least 4.6 m from property lines and buildings and 1.5 m from grass, shrubs, trees or wooden fence; supervised by someone 16 or older; not after daylight hours or in high wind. Never garbage or noxious material.","short":"Only dry garden refuse, with a permit, if no alternative","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2021-06/Bylaw%20272%20-%20Residential%20Backyard%20Burning.pdf","title":"Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw No. 272, 1995 (PDF)","section":"s. 1.04(2)","quotes":["A person may burn dry, segregated garden refuse as on open fire with a permit provided:","the fire is on the person’s property and is at least 4.6 m from all property","No person shall burn garbage and/or noxious material in an open fire"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"permit":{"label":"Permit","value":"Required from the Fire Chief; fee $75 (Fees and Charges Bylaw, Schedule J). Each permit is valid for seven days only. Apply with the form at the Village office by email, mail or in person.","short":"Yes, $75","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2026-05/Bylaw%20451%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20Consolidated%20Version%2C%20for%20convenience%20only%20-%20updated%202026.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 451 (consolidated, PDF)","section":"Schedule J","quotes":["FIRE PROTECTIVE SERVICES DESCRIPTION FEE Burning Permit $75.00 Fireworks Permit - Community event $125.00 Fireworks Permit - Film and Television event $250.00"]},{"url":"https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2021-06/Bylaw%20272%20-%20Residential%20Backyard%20Burning.pdf","title":"Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw No. 272, 1995 (PDF)","section":"s. 1.08(A)","quotes":["shall be valid for seven days only"]},{"url":"https://www.sayward.ca/node/947","title":"Burning Permits, Village of Sayward","section":"Burning Permits page","quotes":["Permits have a $50 fee."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"},"sources_differ":"Sources differ: the Burning Permits web page says \"Permits have a $50 fee\", but Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 451 (edit date May 2026), Schedule J, says $75. The bylaw is followed."},"fire_bans":{"label":"Fire bans","value":"Open burning is prohibited during ban periods set by the Fire Chief (s. 1.03(B)). Permits are only issued when there is no Fire Ban. Check the Village's Fire Prohibitions & Latest News page and bcwildfire.ca for current bans.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2021-06/Bylaw%20272%20-%20Residential%20Backyard%20Burning.pdf","title":"Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw No. 272, 1995 (PDF)","section":"s. 1.03(B)","quotes":["Open burning is prohibited during times specified by the Fire Chief as burning ban periods."]},{"url":"https://www.sayward.ca/node/947","title":"Burning Permits, Village of Sayward","section":"Burning Permits page","quotes":["Permits are only issued during times when there is no Fire Ban"]},{"url":"https://www.sayward.ca/node/726","title":"Fire Prohibitions & Latest News, Village of Sayward","section":"Fire Prohibitions & Latest News page","quotes":["Municipalities often follow BC Wildfire Service prohibitions or may impose different prohibitions based on conditions in their local area.","go to: http://www.bcwildfire.ca"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"alternatives":{"label":"Instead of burning","value":"Chipping and the branch bin at the recycling centre.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sayward.ca/node/947","title":"Burning Permits, Village of Sayward","section":"Burning Permits page","quotes":["(chipping, branch bin in recycling centre)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"On conviction, a fine of up to $2,000, up to six months in jail, or both (s. 1.11(C)). The owner pays the Fire Department's costs of fighting an escaped or prohibited fire (s. 1.09).","short":"Up to $2,000 on conviction","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2021-06/Bylaw%20272%20-%20Residential%20Backyard%20Burning.pdf","title":"Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw No. 272, 1995 (PDF)","section":"s. 1.11(C)","quotes":["shall be liable to a maximum fine of two thousand dollars ($2000.00) or to"]},{"url":"https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2021-06/Bylaw%20272%20-%20Residential%20Backyard%20Burning.pdf","title":"Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw No. 272, 1995 (PDF)","section":"s. 1.09","quotes":["The owner shall be liable for all costs and expenses incurred by the Fire Department"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw No. 272, 1995","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2021-06/Bylaw%20272%20-%20Residential%20Backyard%20Burning.pdf","title":"Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw No. 272, 1995 (PDF)","section":"s. 1.01","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited as the “RESIDENTIAL BACKYARD BURNING BYLAW”"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nUnder the [Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw No. 272, 1995](<https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2021-06/Bylaw%20272%20-%20Residential%20Backyard%20Burning.pdf>), a permit from the Fire Chief is required for any fire of any kind in the open air, January 1 to December 31. Charcoal fires in barbecues and hibachis for cooking food are not \"open burning\".\n\nPermits cover only dry, segregated garden refuse, and only if no alternative (leaf collection, drop-off, chipping) is available. Never burn garbage or noxious material.\n\n- Keep the fire at least 4.6 m from property lines and buildings, and 1.5 m from grass, shrubs, trees or a wooden fence.\n- Someone 16 or older must supervise it.\n- No burning after daylight hours or in high wind. A \"good\" forecast ventilation index is also needed.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Fill out the permit form on the Village's [Burning Permits page](<https://www.sayward.ca/node/947>) and return it to the Village Office by email, mail or in person.\n2. Pay the fee: $75 under the [Fees and Charges Bylaw](<https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2026-05/Bylaw%20451%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20Consolidated%20Version%2C%20for%20convenience%20only%20-%20updated%202026.pdf>) (Schedule J). The Burning Permits page says $50, so confirm the amount when you apply.\n3. Check whether a ban is in force before you light: see the Village's [Fire Prohibitions & Latest News page](<https://www.sayward.ca/node/726>) and bcwildfire.ca.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Permits are only issued when there is no fire ban, and open burning is banned during ban periods set by the Fire Chief.\n- Alternatives are chipping and the branch bin at the recycling centre.\n- The owner pays the Fire Department's costs of fighting an escaped or prohibited fire.\n- Fine on conviction: up to $2,000, up to six months in jail, or both.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2021-06/Bylaw%20272%20-%20Residential%20Backyard%20Burning.pdf","title":"Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw No. 272, 1995 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.sayward.ca/sites/1/files/2026-05/Bylaw%20451%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20Consolidated%20Version%2C%20for%20convenience%20only%20-%20updated%202026.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 451 (consolidated, PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.sayward.ca/node/947","title":"Burning Permits, Village of Sayward","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.sayward.ca/node/726","title":"Fire Prohibitions & Latest News, Village of Sayward","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","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/sayward/backyard-fire/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sayward/backyard-fire.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sayward/backyard-fire.json"}}