---
title: Squamish backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Squamish?"
place: Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/squamish
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Squamish
sources_read: 2026-11-09
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/backyard-fire.json"
---

# Squamish backyard fire and burning rules

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

**Short answer:** Squamish requires a permit for a campfire on residential property. Obtain written consent if you are not the owner. Fires in public places and open burning of yard waste are prohibited year-round.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Squamish, https://squamish.ca)  
**Where:**
- Phone: Municipal Hall, 604-892-5217

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Residential recreational campfires require a permit. Tenants must email the owner’s written consent to the Fire Chief for review.
  - Source: [Types of Fire Permits, Residential campfire permit](https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/fire-rescue/fire-permits/)
  - Official wording: "## Residential Campfire Permit Campfires are for the personal enjoyment of a fire by friends and family on residential property. If you are not the property owner, written consent must be emailed to the Fire Chief at [email protected] for review and approval of permit. Apply for a fire permit."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Burning yard waste:** No open burning of yard or construction waste.
  - Source: [Types of Fire Permits](https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/fire-rescue/fire-permits/)
  - Official wording: "The following are strictly prohibited within the District of Squamish boundaries year round." … "* Open Air Burning, including but not limited to, yard waste, garden debris and construction materials."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Permit:** Squamish requires a permit for a campfire on residential property.
  - Source: [Types of Fire Permits, Residential Campfire Permit](https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/fire-rescue/fire-permits/)
  - Official wording: "## Residential Campfire Permit Campfires are for the personal enjoyment of a fire by friends and family on residential property. If you are not the property owner, written consent must be emailed to the Fire Chief at [email protected] for review and approval of permit. Apply for a fire permit."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Fire bans:** Not confirmed. Checked Types of Fire Permits - District of Squamish, Fire Service Bylaw No. 2314, 2014, Residential Campfire Permit - District of Squamish; not found there.
- **Instead of burning:** Take excess yard material to the Squamish Landfill Public Depot for a fee.
  - Source: [Curbside Collection, Organics Collection](https://squamish.ca/home-and-property/recycling-and-waste-management/residential-garbage-and-waste-collection/)
  - Official wording: "If you have more organic or yard waste than you can fit in your tote, you can stockpile it until you can fit it in your tote at a later date, use a backyard composter, leave grass clippings on the lawn, take it to the Squamish Landfill Public Depot for a small fee, or ask your neighbours if they have any extra space."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Fine:** An open-air fire without a permit carries a $250 notice ($225 within 14 days, $275 after 28 days). Inadequate campfire supervision carries $100 ($90 early, $110 late).
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015, Section 5 and Fire Service schedule, sections 11.1 and 12.1](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/200801)
  - Official wording: "(b) if received by the District within fourteen (14) days of the person receiving or being presumed to have received the bylaw notice, the discounted penalty set out in Column 2 opposite the contravention; (c) if more than twenty-eight (28) days after the person received or is presumed to have received the bylaw notice, the late penalty set out in Column 3 opposite the contravention; or" … "11.1 Burning in open air without $250 $225 $275 Yes permit 12.1(c) Inadequate supervision – $100 $90 $110 No campfire 12.1(e) Campfire smoke creating $100 $90 $110 No nuisance"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Bylaw:** District of Squamish Fire Service Bylaw No. 2314, 2014.
  - Source: [Fire Service Bylaw No. 2314, 2014, Sections 1.1 and 11.1](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/118984/)
  - Official wording: "1.1 This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the “District of Squamish Fire Service Bylaw No. 2314, 2014”." … "11.1 A person must not light, ignite, start, fuel or maintain a campfire or any open air fire, or direct, cause, permit, allow or suffer a campfire or any open air fire to be lit, ignited, started, or maintained, except: (a) for fire training exercises or other purposes of the Fire Department , as carried out by its Members; (b) in strict accordance with this Bylaw and a permit issued by the Fire Chief or designated Fire Official."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09

## How it works

The first question is what you intend to burn and why. A small fire for recreation, a cooking appliance and burning vegetation can fall under different provisions. Check the current restriction for the site and activity before lighting anything. Take excess yard material to the Squamish Landfill Public Depot for a fee.

## Steps

1. Check the local fire instructions in [Types of Fire Permits](https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/fire-rescue/fire-permits/). Identify the fuel, appliance or fire pit, property address and intended date. Match those details to the local fire rules.
2. If the activity needs approval, check the conditions of the approval and the current fire restrictions on the day you intend to burn.

## Good to know

- No open burning of yard or construction waste.
- Residential recreational campfires require a permit. Tenants must email the owner’s written consent to the Fire Chief for review.
- For pruning or garden cleanup, look up local yard-waste disposal options before accumulating a pile for burning.
- For a question about the current fire restriction and the type of fire you have in mind, call the Municipal Hall at 604-892-5217. Describe the appliance or fuel and whether the location is private property or a public site.
- Read the applicable provisions in [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/200801) and [Fire Service Bylaw No. 2314, 2014 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/118984/).

## Official forms and pages

- [District fire permit applications](https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/fire-rescue/fire-permits/)

## Related questions

- [Squamish fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/fireworks.md)
- [Squamish yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/yard-waste.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire.md)
- [Lions Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/backyard-fire.md)
- [Bowen Island](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/backyard-fire.md)
- [West Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/backyard-fire.md)
- [Gibsons](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/backyard-fire.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/backyard-fire.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Types of Fire Permits](https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/fire-rescue/fire-permits/) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Curbside Collection](https://squamish.ca/home-and-property/recycling-and-waste-management/residential-garbage-and-waste-collection/) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/200801) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Fire Service Bylaw No. 2314, 2014 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/118984/) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Squamish municipal office contact information](https://squamish.ca/about/contact-and-feedback/) (read 2026-11-09)

_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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Squamish. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/backyard-fire/_