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

# Vancouver backyard fire and burning rules

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

**Short answer:** Vancouver prohibits wood-burning appliances such as fire pits and chimineas on both public and private property. The City’s outdoor fire page describes the separate permit process for open burning.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Vancouver, https://vancouver.ca)  
**Where:**
- Phone: City Hall, 311

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Vancouver prohibits wood-burning appliances such as fire pits and chimineas on both public and private property.
  - Source: [Outdoor fire safety, Image: City of Vancouver logoOutdoor fire safety](https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/outdoor-fire-safety.aspx)
  - Official wording: "Important note Wood burning appliances, such as chimneas and fire pits, are not allowed anywhere on private or public property in Vancouver. Report illegal fires to 9-1-1."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Burning yard waste:** An open-air fire requires a Fire Chief’s permit. The bylaw makes an exception for cooking on private property in a barbecue or similar appliance designed for cooking and acceptable to the Fire Chief.
  - Source: [Fire By-law, Fire By-law, Division B, articles 2.4.5.1–2.4.5.3](https://bylaws.vancouver.ca/consolidated/14419.PDF)
  - Official wording: "11. Council strikes out Article 2.4.5.1., and substitutes: “2.4.5.1. Prohibition of Open Air Fires 1) A person shall not light or maintain an open air fire without first obtaining a permit from the Fire Chief. 2.4.5.2. Conditions on Open Air Fire Permits 1) The Fire Chief may put conditions on a permit for an open air fire, including but not limited to, conditions regarding a) establishment of a fire watch, and b) required fire protection equipment. (See Note A-2.4.5.2.) 2.4.5.3. Exception for Cooking Food 1) Despite Sentence 2.4.5.1.(1), a person, on private property, may light or maintain an open air fire to cook food in a barbeque or similar equipment that is designed for such purpose and acceptable to the Fire Chief. (See Note A2.4.5.3.)”."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Permit:** Open burning generally needs a permit. For special events, contact Fire Prevention for City locations or the Park Board for parks.
  - Source: [Outdoor fire safety, When you need a permit / How to get a permit](https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/outdoor-fire-safety.aspx)
  - Official wording: "You must have a permit to burn any material or substance, such as: waste, paper, wood, vegetation, or any flammable substance in the ambient air or in a receptacle where emissions are vented directly into the air without passing through a chimney or stack. Cooking food on an appliance designed for that purpose (barbecue) is allowed on private property and in some parks and beach areas." … "Typically, open burning permits are approved for special occasions, ceremonial events, filming, and so on. For more information about getting a permit for open burning in: * The city, contact the Fire Prevention Office * Vancouver parks, contact the Vancouver Park Board"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Fire bans:** Not confirmed. Checked Outdoor fire safety, Fire By-law, Open Air Fires Bulletin February 25, 2021; not found there.
- **Instead of burning:** Vancouver accepts excess yard waste for composting at the transfer station or landfill for a fee.
  - Source: [Yard waste and clean wood waste composting, Image: City of Vancouver logoYard waste and clean wood waste composting](https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/how-to-dispose-of-yard-and-wood-waste.aspx)
  - Official wording: "Bring excess yard waste and wood to the transfer station or landfill for composting for a fee. Check the location webpage for fees and maximum size."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Fine:** Not confirmed. Checked Outdoor fire safety, Fire By-law, Open Air Fires Bulletin February 25, 2021; not found there.
- **Bylaw:** Vancouver Fire By-law No. 14419.
  - Source: [Fire By-law, Title and Division B, article 2.4.5.1](https://bylaws.vancouver.ca/consolidated/14419.PDF)
  - Official wording: "CITY OF VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA FIRE BY-LAW NO. 14419 This By-law is printed under and by authority of the Council of the City of Vancouver July 22, 20251 BY-LAW NO. 14419 A By-law to regulate standards for fire safety in buildings and facilities and to adopt the British Columbia Fire Code" … "11. Council strikes out Article 2.4.5.1., and substitutes: “2.4.5.1. Prohibition of Open Air Fires 1) A person shall not light or maintain an open air fire without first obtaining a permit from the Fire Chief."
  - 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. Open burning generally needs a permit. For special events, contact Fire Prevention for City locations or the Park Board for parks.

## Steps

1. Check the local fire instructions in [Outdoor fire safety](https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/outdoor-fire-safety.aspx). 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

- Vancouver accepts excess yard waste for composting at the transfer station or landfill for a fee.
- An open-air fire requires a Fire Chief’s permit. The bylaw makes an exception for cooking on private property in a barbecue or similar appliance designed for cooking and acceptable to the Fire Chief.
- 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 City Hall at 311. Describe the appliance or fuel and whether the location is private property or a public site.
- Read the applicable provisions in [Fire By-law (PDF)](https://bylaws.vancouver.ca/consolidated/14419.PDF).

## Related questions

- [Vancouver fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/fireworks.md)
- [Vancouver yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/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)
- [Richmond](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/backyard-fire.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/backyard-fire.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/backyard-fire.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/backyard-fire.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/backyard-fire.md)
- [Delta](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Outdoor fire safety](https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/outdoor-fire-safety.aspx) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Yard waste and clean wood waste composting](https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/how-to-dispose-of-yard-and-wood-waste.aspx) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Vancouver municipal office contact information](https://vancouver.ca/your-government/contact-the-city-of-vancouver.aspx) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Fire By-law (PDF)](https://bylaws.vancouver.ca/consolidated/14419.PDF) (read 2026-11-09)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 2 could not be confirmed. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Vancouver. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/backyard-fire/_