Terrace backyard fire and burning rules
Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste?
Short answer
In Terrace, only small cooking fires in a grille, barbecue or small fire pit are allowed without a permit, if they meet size and supervision rules. Burning garden waste is not allowed, and a burning permit is issued only in Agricultural zones for FireSmart debris.
Key facts
| Backyard campfires | Without a permit only for small, confined fires used to cook food in grilles, barbecues or small fire pits: non-combustible pit, one per property, 1 m across at most, 3 m from any dwelling, fence or standing timber. Only cut seasoned wood, charcoal or fireplace logs; supervised by an adult 19 or older with extinguishing means at hand; smoke must not be a nuisance.Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 2260-2022, s. 16.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe requirements of Section 15.0 herein shall not apply to small, confined fires Maximum one fire pit per property. The fire pit shall be a maximum of 1 metre in diameter. Fire pits must be a minimum of 3 metres from any dwelling Only cut, seasoned wood, charcoal or commercially fabricated used for the purpose of cooking food in or upon grilles, barbecues, or small fire pits. |
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| Burning yard waste | Open burning of yard waste is not generally allowed. Burning permits are issued only in Agricultural zones, only for forest debris from FireSmart work; none for land clearing. Burning garden waste or domestic waste is prohibited where, in the Fire Chief's opinion, it makes heavy sooty smoke or bad odours.Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 2260-2022, s. 15.2, 15.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person shall burn any rubbish, tires, oil, asphalt shingles, battery boxes, garden waste or any similar materials that Burning permits shall only be issued in Agricultural zones burning of forest debris resulting from FireSmart activities. No Burning permits |
| Permit | Yes, a written burning permit from the Terrace Fire Department is needed for any open-air fire except small cooking fires in grilles, barbecues or fire pits. Permits are issued only in Agricultural zones, only for forest debris from FireSmart work, never land clearing. Fee $100; $200 re-inspection fee if conditions are not met.Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 2260-2022, s. 15.1, Schedule B · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingwithout first having obtained a written burning permit to do so from the City of Terrace Fire Burning Permit $100.00 Burning permits shall only be issued in Agricultural zones with the written permission of the City of Terrace Fire Department These permits are to be issued only for burning of forest debris resulting from FireSmart activities. Burning Permit $100.00 |
| Fire bans | The Fire Chief or designate may cancel or suspend any right to burn when hazardous conditions exist, and may put out any nuisance fire. BC Wildfire Service bans (gov.bc.ca, Fire Prohibitions and Restrictions) usually do not apply inside municipalities; Terrace sets its own, so check with the City.Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 2260-2022, s. 15.3, 15.6(a); Fire Prohibitions and Restrictions, Province of BC, Within municipal boundaries; Current prohibitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe Fire Chief or his designate may withhold or cancel any permit issued hazardous conditions inclusive of meteorological or ambient air quality Municipalities typically implement their own open fire prohibitions that may follow or vary from BCWS prohibitions. Many municipalities and local governments also post local prohibitions and restrictions specific to your community on their websites or social media pages. |
| Instead of burning | Curbside green organics cart (weekly) for yard waste, or free drop-off at the Public Works yard (5003 Graham Ave) on Mondays only, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., from the second week of April to the third Monday in November. The RDKS Thornhill Transfer Station also accepts yard waste.Garbage, Organics & Recycling, Yard Waste Drop-Off · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThose with additional yard waste can drop it off for FREE at the City's Public Works yard Hours: Mondays ONLY, from 8:30am - 4pm The Thornhill Transfer Station, operated by the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine (RDKS), accepts yard waste from Terrace residents. |
| Fine | Municipal ticket: up to $500 for a fire without a permit (s. 15.1), burning prohibited material (s. 15.2), no competent person in charge (s. 15.4), or not following permit conditions (s. 15.5), or not extinguishing when told (s. 16.1(i)).Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 1827 (consolidated to 2334-2025), Schedule 20 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFire without a permit Burning prohibited material Up to $500.00 |
| Bylaw | Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 2260-2022Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 2260-2022, s. 27.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited as "Terrace Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 2260-2022". |
How it works
Under the Fire Prevention Bylaw 2260, no one may light an open-air fire without a written burning permit from the Terrace Fire Department, except small, confined fires used to cook food in grilles, barbecues or small fire pits (s. 16.1). Burning permits ($100) are issued only in Agricultural zones, only for forest debris from FireSmart work, and never for land clearing. Open burning of yard waste is not generally allowed.
Fire pit rules
- Non-combustible pit; one per property; no more than 1 m across.
- At least 3 m from any dwelling, fence or standing timber.
- Burn only cut, seasoned wood, charcoal or commercially made fireplace logs.
- Supervised by an adult 19 or older with a means of putting the fire out close by.
- Smoke must not become a nuisance.
- Put the fire out when told to do so.
Good to know
- Burning rubbish, tires, oil, asphalt shingles or garden waste is prohibited. Burning garden or domestic waste is prohibited where, in the Fire Chief's opinion, it makes heavy sooty smoke or bad odours.
- The Fire Chief may cancel or suspend any right to burn when hazardous conditions exist. BC Wildfire Service bans usually do not apply inside a municipality; municipalities typically set their own, so ask the City or Fire Department about the current status.
- Lands in the bylaw's "Area A" follow the provincial Wildfire Act and Wildfire Regulation instead.
- Instead of burning, put yard waste in the curbside green organics cart, or drop it off free at the Public Works yard (5003 Graham Avenue) on Mondays only, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (see the yard waste answer for season). The RDKS Thornhill Transfer Station also takes yard waste.
- Municipal tickets are up to $500 for a fire without a permit, burning prohibited material, no competent person in charge, not following permit conditions, or not putting out a fire when told. A $200 re-inspection fee applies if conditions are not met at a permitted fire.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Kitimat · Smithers · Telkwa · Port Edward · Prince Rupert · Houston
Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 2260-2022 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 1827 (consolidated to 2334-2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Garbage, Organics & Recycling, City of Terrace (read 2026-11-05)
- Fire Prohibitions and Restrictions, Province of BC (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.