GovHandbook

Victoria backyard fire and burning rules

Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste?

Victoria, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

Backyard campfiresNot 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.Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw 14-100 (sections 36 to 38 and the offence schedule), ss. 37(1)-(2) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
Burning yard wasteBurning 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.Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw 14-100 (sections 36 to 38 and the offence schedule), ss. 2, 36, 37(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
PermitYes. 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.Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw 14-100 (sections 36 to 38 and the offence schedule), s. 38; Fire Prevention and Regulation Amendment Bylaw 21-010, Amendment 21-010, s. 6(e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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.
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
Fire bansNone set. Victoria's Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw has no section on fire bans.Read: Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw 14-100 (sections 36 to 38 and the offence schedule)
Instead of burningPut 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.Curbside Collection, Organics - Green Bin; Yard and Garden Waste, Leaf Drop Off · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
You can put food scraps and yard waste in your green bin.
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.
FineBylaw 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).Ticket Bylaw 10-071 (consolidated June 18, 2026), Schedule Q; Bylaw Notice Adjudication Bylaw 16-017, Schedule B, Schedule O · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
37(1) Prohibited Open Air burning $250.00 $62.50 $62.50
36 Prohibited burning $250.00 $62.50 $62.50
BylawFire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw No. 14-100, as amended by Amendment Bylaw No. 21-010Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw 14-100 (sections 36 to 38 and the offence schedule), Title; Fire Prevention and Regulation Amendment Bylaw 21-010, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
FIRE PREVENTION AND REGULATION BYLAW
NO. 14-100
FIRE PREVENTION AND REGULATION BYLAW, AMENDMENT BYLAW (NO. 1)

How it works

Under the Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw 14-100, as amended by 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.

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.

Steps

  1. 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.
  2. If you hold a permit, notify the Fire Department before you light the fire and after it is out.
  3. Keep a competent adult watching the fire until it is completely out.

Good to know

  • Burning in a fireplace, stove or incinerator is limited to seasoned firewood or similar material without paint, treated wood or adhesives.
  • In City parks a fire is allowed only with the Director's prior written consent and in a lawfully authorized fire pit.
  • The bylaw sets no size rules for backyard fire pits and no section on fire bans. Ask the Fire Department about current restrictions.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Failing to notify or supervise a permitted fire is $300 ($225 within 14 days on a notice; $250 within 30 days on a ticket).

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Oak Bay · Esquimalt · View Royal · Saanich · Colwood · Langford

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

Sources

  1. Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw 14-100 (sections 36 to 38 and the offence schedule) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Fire Prevention and Regulation Amendment Bylaw 21-010 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Parks Regulation Bylaw 07-059, section 11 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Ticket Bylaw 10-071 (consolidated June 18, 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Bylaw Notice Adjudication Bylaw 16-017, Schedule B (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  6. Yard and Garden Waste, City of Victoria (read 2026-11-05)
  7. Curbside Collection, City of Victoria (read 2026-11-05)

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. How answers are checked.