West Vancouver backyard fire and burning rules
Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in West Vancouver?
Short answer
West Vancouver prohibits in-ground fire pits, wood-burning fire bowls, chimineas and outdoor wood-burning fireplaces. Its fire safety page lists gas devices that may be used on private property and current seasonal restrictions.
Key facts
| Backyard campfires | West Vancouver prohibits in-ground fire pits, wood-burning fire bowls, chimineas and outdoor wood-burning fireplaces.Seasonal Fire Safety and Restrictions, Prohibited in the District of West Vancouver · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording## Prohibited in the District of West Vancouver The following are never allowed in West Vancouver due to the risk of spreading a fire: * beach or park fires * outdoor wood-burning ovens * outdoor wood-burning fireplaces * outdoor wood-burning hot tubs * wood-burning fire bowls * in-ground fire pits * chimineas |
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| Burning yard waste | Beach or park fires, wood-burning fire bowls and in-ground fire pits are prohibited for personal use. District-sponsored community events can apply for an open-air permit.Seasonal Fire Safety and Restrictions, Prohibited fires and District-sponsored events · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording## Prohibited in the District of West Vancouver The following are never allowed in West Vancouver due to the risk of spreading a fire: * beach or park fires * smoking and vaping in all West Vancouver parks and beaches * charcoal or briquette barbecues in all West Vancouver parks and beaches (propane IS permitted at all parks with the exception of in Lighthouse Park, where all barbecues are prohibited) * outdoor wood-burning ovens * outdoor wood-burning fireplaces * outdoor wood-burning hot tubs * wood-burning fire bowls * in-ground fire pits * chimineas Permitted and Prohibited in West Vancouver Community events sponsored by the District of West Vancouver can apply for a Beach Fire/Open Air Permit. |
| Permit | District-sponsored community events may apply for a beach fire or open-air permit.Seasonal Fire Safety and Restrictions, Beach fire or open-air permit · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingPermitted and Prohibited in West Vancouver Community events sponsored by the District of West Vancouver can apply for a Beach Fire/Open Air Permit. |
| Fire bans | Check current restrictions with the District and Coastal Fire Centre. Lighthouse Park has a permanent ban on fires and barbecues.Seasonal Fire Safety and Restrictions, Fire bans and restrictions, Lighthouse Park · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording## Fire Bans and Restrictions * Current Fire Danger Rating * Coastal Fire Centre Bans and Restrictions ## Lighthouse Park Fire Ban Fires, barbecues and smoking are all permanently banned at Lighthouse Park. Enjoy the park but do your part to keep it safe. You can use propane and charcoal barbecues on private properties, beaches and parks in West Vancouver unless fire bans and restrictions are in place. Note: No fires of any kind, including propane barbecues, are permitted in Lighthouse Park at any time. |
| Instead of burning | Use a lidded 77 L yard-trimmings can with a decal, folded kraft bags, or eligible bundles. Up to six containers or bundles including Green Cans may go out each collection day.Green Can and Yard Trimmings, Limits and set-out instructions / What goes in · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording* Place grass clippings, leaves, small trimmings, plants and flowers in a lidded 77-litre can with a Yard Trimmings decal. Kraft paper bags with folded tops are also accepted. * Limit of six yard trimmings cans, bins or bundles, including Green Can(s), per collection day. What goes into your yard trimmings: * grass clippings, leaves, weeds, brush and branches * plants and flowers, living or dead/dried * plant, tree or hedge prunings less than three inches in diameter and no more than three feet long (tied with compostable twine) |
| Fine | Not confirmed. Checked Seasonal Fire Safety and Restrictions, Fire Rescue Bylaw No. 5163, 2021; not found there. |
| Bylaw | District of West Vancouver Fire Rescue Bylaw No. 5163, 2021, as amended.Fire Rescue Bylaw No. 5163, 2021, Fire Rescue Bylaw, section 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingFire Rescue Bylaw No. 5163, 2021 A Bylaw for the prevention and suppression of fire and preservation of life. The Council of The Corporation of the District of West Vancouver enacts as follows: Part 1 Citation and Introduction Citation 1.1 This bylaw may be cited as Fire Rescue Bylaw No. 5163, 2021. |
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. Check current restrictions with the District and Coastal Fire Centre. Lighthouse Park has a permanent ban on fires and barbecues.
Steps
- Check the local fire instructions in Seasonal Fire Safety and Restrictions. Identify the fuel, appliance or fire pit, property address and intended date. Match those details to the local fire rules.
- If the activity needs approval, check the conditions of the approval and the current fire restrictions on the day you intend to burn.
- District-sponsored community events may apply for a beach fire or open-air permit.
Good to know
- Use a lidded 77 L yard-trimmings can with a decal, folded kraft bags, or eligible bundles. Up to six containers or bundles including Green Cans may go out each collection day.
- Take yard trimmings to the North Shore Recycling and Waste Centre, formerly North Shore Transfer Station. Disposal fees apply.
- 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 the Municipal Hall at 604-925-7000. Describe the appliance or fuel and whether the location is private property or a public site.
The same question in other places
Bowen Island · Lions Bay · District of North Vancouver · North Vancouver · Vancouver · Richmond
Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Seasonal Fire Safety and Restrictions (read 2026-11-09)
- Green Can and Yard Trimmings (read 2026-11-09)
- West Vancouver municipal office contact information (read 2026-11-09)
- Drop-off Depots | District of West Vancouver (read 2026-11-09)
- Fire Rescue Bylaw No. 5163, 2021 (read 2026-11-09)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.