View Royal backyard fire and burning rules
Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste?
Short answer
No. The Town of View Royal's Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw 954 bans open-air fires of any kind, so backyard campfires, wood fire pits and burning yard waste are not allowed. The exception is a home appliance that burns charcoal briquettes, natural gas or propane.
Key facts
| Backyard campfires | No. Backyard campfires and wood fire pits are not allowed: no one may light or keep any fire in the open air, or in an appliance, container or device in the open air. The only exception without a permit is a residential outdoor appliance that burns charcoal briquettes, natural gas or propane and sits on a firm non-combustible base.Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 954, 2026, Parts 13 and 16, s. 13.1.1, 13.2.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person may at any time within the Town light, ignite, start or maintain, or fire of any kind whatsoever in the open air or in an appliance, container or briquettes or is fueled by and burns natural gas or propane, for residential use only is Permitted without a Permit provided that it sits on a firm non |
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| Burning yard waste | Not allowed. No open-air fires of any kind at any time, and garden refuse, treated wood, garbage and other listed materials may not be burned. The Fire Chief may permit open-air fires only for disease and pest control, fire suppression training, ethnic and cultural observances and special events.Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 954, 2026, Parts 13 and 16, s. 13.1.2, 13.2.1; Lawn and Garden Waste Disposal, intro · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording(d) garden refuse; 13.2.1 The Fire Chief may issue a Permit on such terms and conditions they feel are (a) disease and pest control; (c) ethnic and cultural observances; and is reminded that outdoor burning is prohibited. |
| Permit | No permit for backyard burning. The Fire Chief may issue a permit on set terms only for disease and pest control, fire suppression training, ethnic and cultural observances, and special events. A charcoal, propane or natural gas appliance for residential use needs no permit.Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 954, 2026, Parts 13 and 16, s. 13.2.1, 13.2.2; View Royal Fire Rescue, contact · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording13.2.1 The Fire Chief may issue a Permit on such terms and conditions they feel are (d) special events. only is Permitted without a Permit provided that it sits on a firm non For non-emergencies, contact by phone at (250) 479-7322 or by email firerescue@viewroyal.ca. |
| Fire bans | View Royal needs no seasonal ban: Bylaw 954 prohibits open-air fires at all times (charcoal and gas appliances excepted). BC Wildfire Service bans usually do not apply inside municipal boundaries; municipalities set their own. Check the BC Wildfire Service prohibitions page or call View Royal Fire Rescue.Fire Prohibitions and Restrictions - Province of British Columbia, Where BC Wildfire Service orders apply · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingwhich is usually all areas outside of municipalities. Municipalities typically implement their own open fire prohibitions that may follow or vary from BCWS prohibitions. |
| Instead of burning | Curbside lawn and garden waste collection once a year in November on Saturdays, and the Yard and Garden Waste Transfer Station at 605 Canteen Road. The Town also encourages home composting.Lawn and Garden Waste Disposal, Lawn & Garden Waste · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingLawn and garden waste is collected annually in November on Saturdays from the curbside The Yard and Garden Waste Transfer Station (formerly Canteen Composting) located at 605 Canteen Road The public is encouraged to consider composting at home |
| Fine | Court fine of not less than $100 for a first offence and not less than $200 for a second or later offence. The Town ticket schedule still lists "open air or incinerator burning" at $100 under the repealed Fire Services Bylaw No. 114.Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 954, 2026, Parts 13 and 16, s. 16.1.1; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 643 (PDF, to May 2026), Schedule 4, Fire Services Bylaw No. 114 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingis liable upon summary conviction to a fine of not less than $100.00 for a first offence and of not less than $200.00 for a second or subsequent offence. Open air or incinerator burning 15 660 $100. |
| Bylaw | Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 954, 2026Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 954, 2026, Parts 13 and 16, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 954, 2026 |
How it works
Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw 954 says no one may light or keep any fire in the open air, or in an appliance, container or device in the open air, in the Town of View Royal. The only exception without a permit is a residential outdoor appliance that burns charcoal briquettes, natural gas or propane and sits on a firm non-combustible base. Garden refuse, treated wood, garbage and other listed materials may not be burned.
Good to know
- No permit exists for backyard burning. The Fire Chief may permit open-air fires only for disease and pest control, fire suppression training, ethnic and cultural observances, and special events.
- The bylaw bans open-air fires at all times, so the Town needs no seasonal ban. BC Wildfire Service bans usually do not apply inside municipal boundaries, but you can check its prohibitions page or call View Royal Fire Rescue.
- A court fine is not less than $100 for a first offence and not less than $200 for a second or later one. The Town's ticket schedule still lists a $100 burning ticket under the repealed Fire Services Bylaw 114, so do not rely on that amount; ask the Town what applies.
- Instead of burning yard waste, use the November curbside collection, the transfer station at 605 Canteen Road (confirm details with the Town), or home composting. See the yard waste answer.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Esquimalt · Colwood · Victoria · Langford · Saanich · Highlands
Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 954, 2026 (PDF), Parts 13 and 16 (read 2026-11-05)
- Lawn and Garden Waste Disposal, Town of View Royal (read 2026-11-05)
- View Royal Fire Rescue, Town of View Royal (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 643 (PDF, to May 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
- Fire Prohibitions and Restrictions - Province of British Columbia (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. How answers are checked.