{"title":"Victoria backyard fire and burning rules","question":"Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste?","slug":"backyard-fire","place":{"path":"ca/bc/victoria","name":"Victoria","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"bylaws-and-complaints","name":"Bylaws, noise and complaints"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Victoria","url":"https://www.victoria.ca"},"short_answer":"Not without a permit. In the City of Victoria, any open-air fire, including in a chiminea or outdoor fireplace, needs a permit from the Fire Chief, and permits are only for certain purposes. Burning yard waste also needs one. Cooking barbecues and approved gas appliances are not covered.","aliases":["fire pit victoria","burn yard waste victoria","open burning victoria","outdoor fire bylaw victoria","chiminea victoria","campfire on the beach victoria"],"cost":"No permit fee is stated in the bylaw. Fine for prohibited open-air burning: $250 on a bylaw notice and on a municipal ticket.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Fire or smoke in a park or on a beach","value":"9-1-1"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw 14-100 (PDF)","url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/fire-prevention-and-regulation-bylaw-14-100"},{"title":"Fire Prevention and Regulation Amendment Bylaw 21-010 (PDF)","url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/fire-prevention-and-regulation-bylaw-amendment-bylaw-21-010"},{"title":"Parks Regulation Bylaw 07-059 (PDF)","url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/parks-regulation-bylaw-consolidated-07-059"}],"related":[{"slug":"yard-waste","title":"Victoria yard waste collection and drop-off","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/yard-waste/"},{"slug":"fireworks","title":"Victoria fireworks rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/fireworks/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Victoria bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/oak-bay","name":"Oak Bay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/esquimalt","name":"Esquimalt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/view-royal","name":"View Royal","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/saanich","name":"Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/colwood","name":"Colwood","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langford","name":"Langford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/backyard-fire/"}],"topic":{"title":"Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire/"},"facts":{"campfires":{"label":"Backyard campfires","value":"Not without a permit. Anyone burning a fire in the open air, including in a chiminea, outdoor fireplace or other portable outdoor burner, needs a permit. Not covered: charcoal, natural gas or propane barbecues and grills used only for cooking, and CSA- or ULC-approved gas or liquid-fuel outdoor appliances used as the maker directs.","short":"No, not without a permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/fire-prevention-and-regulation-bylaw-14-100","title":"Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw 14-100 (sections 36 to 38 and the offence schedule) (PDF)","section":"ss. 37(1)-(2)","quotes":["No person shall light, ignite, start or burn any fire in the open air or in any portable incinerator, chiminea, outdoor fireplace or other portable outdoor burner without first obtaining a Permit.","charcoal, natural gas or propane gas fires contained within barbecues, grills or other outdoor appliances for the sole purpose of cooking food; or"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"open_burning":{"label":"Burning yard waste","value":"Burning of any kind in the open air (including yard waste or brush piles) needs a permit, and permits are limited to certain purposes (see permit). Burning in a fireplace, stove or incinerator is limited to seasoned firewood or similar material without paint, treated wood or adhesives.","short":"Only with a permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/fire-prevention-and-regulation-bylaw-14-100","title":"Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw 14-100 (sections 36 to 38 and the offence schedule) (PDF)","section":"ss. 2, 36, 37(1)","quotes":["any burning of any kind, of any material, for any purpose that takes place outside","No person shall burn in a fireplace, stove or incinerator any materials other than seasoned firewood","No person shall light, ignite, start or burn any fire in the open air"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permit":{"label":"Permit","value":"Yes. Apply to the Fire Chief on the Fire Chief's form. A permit may be issued only for a religious, cultural or special event, member training, or ecological or conservation purposes; the Fire Chief may refuse or add conditions. The holder must notify the Fire Department before lighting and after the fire is out and keep a competent adult watching until it is out. No fee is stated.","short":"Yes, for special purposes only; no fee stated","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/fire-prevention-and-regulation-bylaw-14-100","title":"Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw 14-100 (sections 36 to 38 and the offence schedule) (PDF)","section":"s. 38","quotes":["An application for a Permit shall be made to the Fire Chief in a form specified by the Fire Chief.","the observance or celebration of a religious, cultural or special event;","ecological or conservation purposes.","shall have a competent person at all times in charge of the fire."]},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/fire-prevention-and-regulation-bylaw-amendment-bylaw-21-010","title":"Fire Prevention and Regulation Amendment Bylaw 21-010 (PDF)","section":"Amendment 21-010, s. 6(e)","quotes":["notify the Fire Department before the initiation and after the","at all times ensure that a competent adult is keeping watch on the fire until the fire is completely extinguished"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fire_bans":{"label":"Fire bans","value":null,"status":"none","note":"Victoria's Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw has no section on fire bans.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/fire-prevention-and-regulation-bylaw-14-100","title":"Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw 14-100 (sections 36 to 38 and the offence schedule) (PDF)"}]},"alternatives":{"label":"Instead of burning","value":"Put yard waste in the green bin (collected every two weeks), or take leaves and garden waste to the Public Works Yard, 417 Garbally Road, on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The City also runs seasonal leaf collection.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/home-property/waste-collection/curbside-collection","title":"Curbside Collection, City of Victoria","section":"Organics - Green Bin","quotes":["You can put food scraps and yard waste in your green bin."]},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/home-property/waste-collection/yard-garden-waste","title":"Yard and Garden Waste, City of Victoria","section":"Leaf Drop Off","quotes":["Leaves and garden waste can be dropped off year-round at the Public Works Yard, 417 Garbally Road on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice (Bylaw 16-017): $250 for prohibited open-air burning (s. 37(1)) or burning in a fireplace or stove (s. 36), $187.50 within 14 days; $300 for failing to notify or supervise a permitted fire (s. 38(3)(b)), $225. Municipal ticket (Bylaw 10-071): $250 ($200 within 30 days); $300 ($250).","short":"Notice $250 ($187.50 if paid in 14 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/635","title":"Ticket Bylaw 10-071 (consolidated June 18, 2026) (PDF)","section":"Schedule Q","quotes":["Prohibited Open Air 37(1) $250.00 $200.00","Prohibited burning 36 $250.00 $200.00","Fail to notify or 38(3)(b) $300.00 $250.00"]},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/2923","title":"Bylaw Notice Adjudication Bylaw 16-017, Schedule B (PDF)","section":"Schedule O","quotes":["37(1) Prohibited Open Air burning $250.00 $62.50 $62.50","36 Prohibited burning $250.00 $62.50 $62.50"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw No. 14-100, as amended by Amendment Bylaw No. 21-010","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/fire-prevention-and-regulation-bylaw-14-100","title":"Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw 14-100 (sections 36 to 38 and the offence schedule) (PDF)","section":"Title","quotes":["FIRE PREVENTION AND REGULATION BYLAW","NO. 14-100"]},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/fire-prevention-and-regulation-bylaw-amendment-bylaw-21-010","title":"Fire Prevention and Regulation Amendment Bylaw 21-010 (PDF)","section":"Title","quotes":["FIRE PREVENTION AND REGULATION BYLAW, AMENDMENT BYLAW (NO. 1)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":1,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nUnder the [Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw 14-100](<https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/fire-prevention-and-regulation-bylaw-14-100>), as amended by [Bylaw 21-010](<https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/fire-prevention-and-regulation-bylaw-amendment-bylaw-21-010>), burning of any kind in the open air needs a permit. That includes a fire in a chiminea, outdoor fireplace or other portable outdoor burner, and burning yard waste or brush piles.\n\nNot covered: charcoal, natural gas or propane barbecues and grills used only for cooking, and CSA- or ULC-approved gas or liquid-fuel outdoor appliances used as the maker directs.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Apply to the Fire Chief on the Fire Chief's form. A permit may be issued only for a religious, cultural or special event, member training, or ecological or conservation purposes. The Fire Chief may refuse or add conditions. No fee is stated.\n2. If you hold a permit, notify the Fire Department before you light the fire and after it is out.\n3. Keep a competent adult watching the fire until it is completely out.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Burning in a fireplace, stove or incinerator is limited to seasoned firewood or similar material without paint, treated wood or adhesives.\n- In City parks a fire is allowed only with the Director's prior written consent and in a lawfully authorized fire pit.\n- The bylaw sets no size rules for backyard fire pits and no section on fire bans. Ask the Fire Department about current restrictions.\n- For yard waste, use the green bin (collected every two weeks), or take leaves and garden waste to the Public Works Yard, 417 Garbally Road, on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The City also runs seasonal leaf collection.\n- Fines: prohibited open-air burning, or burning in a fireplace or stove, is $250. A bylaw notice (Bylaw 16-017) is $187.50 if paid within 14 days; a municipal ticket (Bylaw 10-071) is $200 if paid within 30 days.\n- Failing to notify or supervise a permitted fire is $300 ($225 within 14 days on a notice; $250 within 30 days on a ticket).","sources":[{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/fire-prevention-and-regulation-bylaw-14-100","title":"Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw 14-100 (sections 36 to 38 and the offence schedule) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/fire-prevention-and-regulation-bylaw-amendment-bylaw-21-010","title":"Fire Prevention and Regulation Amendment Bylaw 21-010 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/file/parks-regulation-bylaw-consolidated-07-059","title":"Parks Regulation Bylaw 07-059, section 11 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/635","title":"Ticket Bylaw 10-071 (consolidated June 18, 2026) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/media/2923","title":"Bylaw Notice Adjudication Bylaw 16-017, Schedule B (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/home-property/waste-collection/yard-garden-waste","title":"Yard and Garden Waste, City of Victoria","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.victoria.ca/home-property/waste-collection/curbside-collection","title":"Curbside Collection, City of Victoria","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/backyard-fire/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/backyard-fire.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/backyard-fire.json"}}