Summerland backyard fire and burning rules
Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste, and do I need a permit?
Short answer
In Summerland, a small campfire used only to cook food, in a fire pit on private property with the owner's approval, needs no permit but cannot be lit between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Other open burning needs a Fire Permit. Check BC Wildfire Service and District fire restrictions first.
Key facts
| Backyard campfires | Yes, no permit needed, if the property owner approves and the fire is used only to prepare food. It must be within a fire pit, no bigger than 75 cm across and high, at least 5 m from property lines and buildings, burning dry seasoned firewood or untreated lumber, supervised, and not lit between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2421, consolidated, Part VIII s. 1.1(d), 3.1; Part III definitions; Fire Protection FAQ, Can I have a campfire in my backyard? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCampfires which have been approved by the property owner and which are intended for and used solely for the Campfires must be located a minimum of 5 metres from adjoining Campfires will not be permitted between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Campfire means a fire not exceeding 75 cm in diameter and 75 cm in height, intended for and used solely for the preparation of food. Yes, campfires are permitted, however they must be in accordance with the municipal regulations. |
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| Burning yard waste | Allowed only with a Fire Permit, and only for prunings, branches, trunks and stumps grown on the same land (not grass, leaves or garden waste). Between 7 a.m. and sunset; fire 30 m from buildings and highways, 100 m from neighbours' buildings, 500 m from schools and hospitals; good ventilation index; no more than four times a year, 15 days apart. The Fire Department says the season is October 15 to April 15.Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2421, consolidated, Part VIII s. 2.1, 4.1; Fire Protection FAQ, When does open burning start · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOnly permitted burning materials will be burned; All permitted burning materials to be burned will originate from the conducted and concluded between 7:00 a.m. 30 metres will be maintained between the location of the a maximum of 4 times per year. No person will burn prohibited burning materials, compostable materials Open burning season starts October 15th and finishes on April 15th of each year. |
| Permit | Yes, for all open burning other than campfires: a written Fire Permit from the Fire Chief or appointee, valid up to 72 consecutive hours. Properties registered with the Fire Department may get a verbal permit by phone. Fire Department non-emergency line: 250-494-7211. No fee found.Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2421, consolidated, Part VIII s. 1.1, 1.2, 1.5; Fire Protection FAQ, When does open burning start; Contact, Fire Department · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingperson shall light, ignite, or start, or allow, or cause to be lighted or started, a fire of any kind whatsoever in the open air, without first but will not exceed 72 consecutive hours. may obtain a verbal “Fire Permit” All open burning requires a permit. Fire Prevention & InspectionsFireSmart ProgramOpen Burning PermitEmergency Response - Phone (non-emergency): 250-494-7211 - Location: 10115 Jubilee Road West, Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0 |
| Fire bans | All fires are subject to local fire hazard restrictions and provincial (Ministry of Forests) fire hazard restrictions and may be cancelled at any time by the authority. Check BC Wildfire Service prohibitions and ask the District.Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2421, consolidated, Part VIII s. 4.2; Fire bans and restrictions, BC Wildfire Service, Current prohibitions and restrictions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAll fires are subject to local fire hazard restrictions and Ministry of Forests always check with local government authorities for any other open fire restrictions. |
| Instead of burning | Put grass, leaves, branches and prunings (up to 5 cm thick and 1 m long) in the green Food Scraps and Yard Waste cart, collected weekly under the bylaw; or take them to the Summerland Sanitary Landfill (17202 Bathville Road).Yard and Garden Waste, Yard Waste; Summerland Sanitary Landfill, Hours · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingYard & Garden Waste material up to a maximum diameter of 5 cm (2 inches) and 1 metre (3 feet) in length. Place in Green lidded cart. Address: 17202 Bathville Road. |
| Fine | Bylaw notice: fire without a permit, prohibited open burning, prohibited campfire, burning prohibited material, or fire in strong wind: $300 each ($250 within 14 days; $325 after 28 days). Municipal ticket: $500 each, and $1,000 for a fire in strong wind.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375, Schedule A (consolidated to December 9, 2025), Schedule A, Fire and Life Safety Bylaw Part VIII; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 95-030 (consolidated to December 9, 2025), Schedule 7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFire without a permit Part VIII 1.1 $300.00 250.00 325.00 Prohibited campfire Part VIII 3.1 $300.00 250.00 325.00 Fire during strong wind Part VIII 4.4 $300.00 250.00 325.00 Fire without a permit Part VIII 1.1 $500.00 Prohibited campfire Part VIII 3.1 $500.00 Fire during strong wind Part VIII 4.4 $1000.00 |
| Bylaw | Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2421 (Part VIII, Open Air Burning)Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2421, consolidated, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBYLAW NUMBER 2421 THE CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF SUMMERLAND FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY BYLAW |
How it works
Under the Fire and Life Safety Bylaw 2421 (Part VIII), open burning in the District of Summerland needs a written Fire Permit from the Fire Chief or appointee, except for campfires and barbecues used only for food.
Campfires (no permit)
- Allowed only if the property owner approves and the fire is used only to prepare food.
- Inside a fire pit, no bigger than 75 cm across and high. A fire pit is a non-combustible enclosure at least 30 cm high and no more than 1 m across.
- At least 5 m from property lines and buildings.
- Dry seasoned firewood or untreated lumber only. Supervised, and not lit between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Yard waste and other open burning (permit needed)
- Ask the Fire Department (250-494-7211) for a Fire Permit. It is valid for up to 72 consecutive hours. Properties registered with the Fire Department may get a verbal permit by phone.
- Burn only prunings, branches, trunks and stumps grown on the same land. Grass, leaves and garden waste may not be burned.
- Burn between 7 a.m. and sunset, 30 m from buildings and highways, 100 m from neighbours' buildings and 500 m from schools and hospitals, when the ventilation index is good.
- No more than four burns a year, 15 days apart. The Fire Department says the season is October 15 to April 15.
Good to know
- All fires are subject to local fire hazard restrictions and provincial restrictions, and may be cancelled at any time (s. 4.2). Check the BC Wildfire Service page and ask the District before lighting any fire.
- Instead of burning, grass, leaves, branches and prunings up to 5 cm thick and 1 m long can go in the green Food Scraps and Yard Waste cart, or to the Summerland Sanitary Landfill at 17202 Bathville Road. See the yard waste answer.
- Fire without a permit, prohibited open burning, a prohibited campfire, burning prohibited material, or a fire in strong wind: a bylaw notice is $300 each; a municipal ticket is $500 each, and $1,000 for a fire in strong wind.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Penticton · Peachland · West Kelowna · Kelowna · Keremeos · Oliver
Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2421, consolidated (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Fire Protection FAQ, District of Summerland (read 2026-11-05)
- Contact, District of Summerland (read 2026-11-05)
- Fire bans and restrictions, BC Wildfire Service (read 2026-11-05)
- Yard and Garden Waste, District of Summerland (read 2026-11-05)
- Summerland Sanitary Landfill, District of Summerland (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375, Schedule A (consolidated to December 9, 2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 95-030 (consolidated to December 9, 2025) (PDF) (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.