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Vancouver backyard fire and burning rules

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

Vancouver, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-09

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.

Key facts

Backyard campfiresVancouver prohibits wood-burning appliances such as fire pits and chimineas on both public and private property.Outdoor fire safety, Image: City of Vancouver logoOutdoor fire safety · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
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.
Burning yard wasteAn 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.Fire By-law, Fire By-law, Division B, articles 2.4.5.1–2.4.5.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
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.)”.
PermitOpen burning generally needs a permit. For special events, contact Fire Prevention for City locations or the Park Board for parks.Outdoor fire safety, When you need a permit / How to get a permit · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
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
Fire bansNot confirmed. Checked Outdoor fire safety, Fire By-law, Open Air Fires Bulletin February 25, 2021; not found there.
Instead of burningVancouver accepts excess yard waste for composting at the transfer station or landfill for a fee.Yard waste and clean wood waste composting, Image: City of Vancouver logoYard waste and clean wood waste composting · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
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.
FineNot confirmed. Checked Outdoor fire safety, Fire By-law, Open Air Fires Bulletin February 25, 2021; not found there.
BylawVancouver Fire By-law No. 14419.Fire By-law, Title and Division B, article 2.4.5.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
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.

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. 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).

The same question in other places

Richmond · Burnaby · North Vancouver · District of North Vancouver · New Westminster · Delta

Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Outdoor fire safety (read 2026-11-09)
  2. Yard waste and clean wood waste composting (read 2026-11-09)
  3. Vancouver municipal office contact information (read 2026-11-09)
  4. Fire By-law (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. How answers are checked.