---
title: Vernon backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste?"
place: Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/vernon
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Vernon
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/backyard-fire.json"
---

# Vernon backyard fire and burning rules

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

**Short answer:** In the City of Vernon, campfires and CSA-certified outdoor fireplaces are allowed under the bylaws with size and distance limits. Burning yard waste or other residential waste in the open is not allowed. Check BC Wildfire Service for fire bans before lighting.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Vernon, https://www.vernon.ca)  
**Cost:** Open-burning permit (land clearing or agricultural burning only): $75. Fines: burning without a permit, bylaw notice $200 ($175 early, $225 late), municipal ticket $400; burning during a fire ban, notice $500, ticket $1,000; burning prohibited material in a campfire, notice $100, ticket $200.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Open burning permit questions, 250-550-3561

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Yes. Campfires and CSA-certified outdoor fireplaces are allowed: up to 1 m wide and high in Interface Zone 1, 0.6 m in Zones 2 and 3, where a 45-60 cm tall enclosure and a spark guard are also required. Keep 3 m (Zone 1) or 5 m (Zones 2, 3) from combustibles and property lines. Dry wood or briquettes only; never unattended.
  - Source: [Fire Services Bylaw 5635, s. 5.5(a)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fire_services_bylaw_5635.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Campfires and Outdoor Fireplaces - are permitted provided burning is conducted in conformance with the current "City of Vernon Good Neighbour Bylaw"."
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Bylaw 4980 (consolidated), s. 6.3, 6.4, 6.9, 6.12; Schedule E](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/good_neighbour_bylaw_4980.pdf)
  - Official wording: "not exceeding one meter in diameter (3 ft.) and one meter (3 ft.) in height in Interface Zone 1" … "or not exceeding 0.60 meters (2 ft.) and 0.60 meters (2 ft.) in height in Interface Zone 2 or Interface Zone 3." … "less than 3 meters (10 feet) from any combustible materials including but not limited to buildings, sheds, shrubs, grassy fields or from property boundary." … "less than 5 meters (15 feet) from any combustible materials including but not limited to buildings, sheds, shrubs, grassy fields or from property boundary." … "No person shall burn any material other than dry seasoned wood or charcoal briquettes in a campfire or outdoor fireplace." … "No person may allow a campfire or outdoor fireplace to burn unattended." … "All campfires, located in interface zone two and three must be enclosed in rock, concrete, ceramic clay or metal container no greater than 60 centimeters (24 inches) wide and no less than 45 centimeters (18 inches) in height." … "All campfires, located in zones two and three require a spark guard or heavy wire mesh screen with openings no larger than 13 millimeters (one half inch)."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Burning yard waste:** No. Burning residential waste, including household and yard materials, is strictly prohibited in the open air. Only land clearing debris or agricultural material from the same site (at least 5 acres) may be burned, under a permit, between November 1 and April 30, at least 500 m from neighbouring homes and businesses.
  - Source: [Fire Services Bylaw 5635, s. 5.4, 5.6(b)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fire_services_bylaw_5635.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Burning of residential waste, including both household and yard materials, is strictly prohibited in the open air." … "originating from the site on which the burning is to be carried out (site must be a minimum of 5 acres)" … "may only occur between November 1 and April 30, when authorized by the Director of Fire Rescue Services." … "must be carried out at least 500 metres from neighboring residences and businesses"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit:** Not for campfires or outdoor fireplaces. An open-burning permit from the Director of Fire Rescue Services is needed for land clearing or agricultural burning: $75. Issued only November 1 to April 30; can be cancelled during a fire ban. Questions: 250-550-3561.
  - Source: [Fire Prevention and Life Safety, Open Burning Permits](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/fire-safety/fire-prevention)
  - Official wording: "a burning permit is required for open burning." … "Open burning permits will only be issued between November 1 and April 30 and can be cancelled during a fire ban." … "If you have any questions regarding burn permits, please contact 250-550-3561."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909 (consolidated), Schedule A, section 6 (Fire Rescue Services), item E](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fees_and_charges_bylaw_3909_consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Outdoor Burning Permit $75.00 each"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fire bans:** The Director of Fire Rescue Services may suspend all outdoor burning in hazardous conditions. No campfire may be lit or kept burning during a fire ban, if the Air Quality Health Index is above 3, the Ventilation Index is below 55, or conditions are hazardous. Check BC Wildfire Service (bcwildfire.ca) for bans; venting index 1-888-281-2992.
  - Source: [Fire Services Bylaw 5635, s. 5.9](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fire_services_bylaw_5635.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The Director of Fire Rescue Services may suspend all outdoor burning when conditions exist that such burning creates a Fire Hazard" … "during periods of prolonged "High" and "Extreme" fire indexes."
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Bylaw 4980 (consolidated), s. 6.7](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/good_neighbour_bylaw_4980.pdf)
  - Official wording: "to burn when; (a) the Air Quality Health Index is greater than 3, or (b) the Ventilation Index is less than 55, or (c) conditions are hazardous, or (d) a fire ban is in place."
  - Source: [Fire Prevention and Life Safety, Campfires and Outdoor Fireplaces](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/fire-safety/fire-prevention)
  - Official wording: "Environment Canada (venting index) Phone: 1-888-281-2992" … "BC Wildfire Provincial fire bans"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Instead of burning:** Yard waste goes in the weekly organics cart; the City also runs spring curbside chipping and a fall leaf pick-up. Residential yard and garden waste can be dropped off free at RDNO facilities such as the Greater Vernon Landfill (120 Birnie Road).
  - Source: [Residential Organics](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/waste-management/residential-organics)
  - Official wording: "Household organics (kitchen and yard waste) are collected every week" … "Residential yard and garden waste can be dropped off at any RDNO Diversion and Disposal Facility free of charge."
  - Source: [2026 Spring Chipping](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/waste-management/residential-organics/spring-chipping)
  - Official wording: "crews collecting pruning material from residences between the end of March and mid-April"
  - Source: [Fall Leaf Pick Up](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/waste-management/residential-organics/spring-fall-leaf-pickup)
  - Official wording: "Emterra Environmental will provide curbside collection of leaves in clear plastic bags on your regular garbage collection day."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Burning without a permit: bylaw notice $200 ($175 early, $225 late); municipal ticket $400 ($390 early). Burning in contravention of a fire ban: notice $500; ticket $1,000. Burning prohibited material in a campfire: notice $100 ($90, $120); ticket $200 ($190).
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 6048, Schedule A (Fire Services Bylaw; Good Neighbour Bylaw)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%206048.pdf)
  - Official wording: "5.4 Burning without Permit $ 200.00 $175.00 $ 225.00 NO" … "6.7(d) Burn in contravention of fire $500.00 $500.00 $500.00 NO" … "6.9 Burn prohibited material $100.00 $90.00 $120.00 NO"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw 6049, Schedule B (Fire Services Bylaw; Good Neighbour Bylaw)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Municipal%20Ticketing%20Information%20Bylaw%206049.pdf)
  - Official wording: "5.4 Burning without Permit $400.00 $390.00" … "6.7(d) Burn in contravention of fire ban $1000.00 $1000.00" … "6.9 Burn prohibited material $200.00 $190.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Fire Services Bylaw No. 5635 and City of Vernon Good Neighbour Bylaw Number 4980, 2005 (Part VI, Nuisance Smoke)
  - Source: [Fire Services Bylaw 5635, Schedule A (definitions)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fire_services_bylaw_5635.pdf)
  - Official wording: "means the City of Vernon Fire Services Bylaw No. 5635."
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Bylaw 4980 (consolidated), s. 1.1, Part VI](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/good_neighbour_bylaw_4980.pdf)
  - Official wording: "City of Vernon Good Neighbour Bylaw Number 4980, 2005"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Fire Services Bylaw 5635](<https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fire_services_bylaw_5635.pdf>), burning residential waste, including household and yard materials, in the open air is strictly prohibited in the City of Vernon. Campfires and CSA-certified outdoor fireplaces are allowed. Barbecues and CSA/ULC-rated appliances are allowed if used safely.

## Campfire rules

1. Size: up to 1 m wide and high in Interface Zone 1, and 0.6 m in Zones 2 and 3. Zone boundaries are on the City's Fire Interface Zone Map.
2. In Zones 2 and 3, use an enclosure of rock, concrete, ceramic clay or metal, 45 to 60 cm tall, and a spark guard or mesh with openings 13 mm or smaller.
3. Keep 3 m (Zone 1) or 5 m (Zones 2 and 3) from combustibles and property lines.
4. Burn dry wood or briquettes only, and never leave the fire unattended.

## Good to know

- No campfire may be lit or kept burning during a fire ban, if the Air Quality Health Index is above 3, the Ventilation Index is below 55, or conditions are hazardous. Check BC Wildfire Service (bcwildfire.ca) for current bans; the venting index line is 1-888-281-2992.
- A permit from the Director of Fire Rescue Services ($75) is needed only for land clearing debris or agricultural material from the same site (at least 5 acres). It is issued November 1 to April 30, the fire must be at least 500 m from neighbouring homes and businesses, and the permit can be cancelled during a fire ban. Questions: 250-550-3561.
- For yard waste, use the weekly organics cart, spring curbside chipping and fall leaf pick-up, or drop it off free at Regional District of North Okanagan facilities such as the Greater Vernon Landfill (120 Birnie Road).

## Official forms and pages

- [Fire Prevention and Life Safety (open burning permits, campfires)](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/fire-safety/fire-prevention)
- [Fire Services Bylaw 5635 (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fire_services_bylaw_5635.pdf)
- [Good Neighbour Bylaw 4980 (PDF), Part VI](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/good_neighbour_bylaw_4980.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Vernon fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/fireworks.md)
- [Vernon yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/yard-waste.md)
- [Vernon bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/backyard-fire.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/backyard-fire.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/backyard-fire.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/backyard-fire.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/backyard-fire.md)
- [Enderby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Fire Services Bylaw 5635 (PDF), City of Vernon](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fire_services_bylaw_5635.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Good Neighbour Bylaw 4980 (consolidated) (PDF), City of Vernon](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/good_neighbour_bylaw_4980.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fire Prevention and Life Safety, City of Vernon](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/fire-safety/fire-prevention) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909 (consolidated) (PDF), City of Vernon](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fees_and_charges_bylaw_3909_consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 6048 (PDF), City of Vernon](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%206048.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw 6049 (PDF), City of Vernon](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Municipal%20Ticketing%20Information%20Bylaw%206049.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Residential Organics, City of Vernon](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/waste-management/residential-organics) (read 2026-11-05)
- [2026 Spring Chipping, City of Vernon](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/waste-management/residential-organics/spring-chipping) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fall Leaf Pick Up, City of Vernon](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/waste-management/residential-organics/spring-fall-leaf-pickup) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Vernon. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/backyard-fire/_