Open burning & fires — Courtenay, British Columbia

Can I have a backyard fire? Do I need a burn permit?

In the City of Courtenay, British Columbia, open burning & fires rules are set by Fire Protective Services Bylaw No. 2556, 2008, verified 2026-08-28. Fines: $100.00 MTI fine; Cost Recovery $400.00 each truck and crew per hour (minimum 1 hour). A permit is required. Permit issuer: Fire Chief.

Fire Protective Services Bylaw No. 2556, 2008 adopted bylaw
permit required yes s. 50(1)(b)
permit issuer Fire Chief s. 50(1)(b)
allowed conditions Open Fire allowed with Burning Permit. Gas/charcoal cooking/heating appliances allowed without permit. Agricultural burning permitted with permit. s. 50(1), s. 53, s. 54
fine range $100.00 MTI fine; Cost Recovery $400.00 each truck and crew per hour (minimum 1 hour). Schedule "C" Sections 50, 51(2), 51(6)
scout note

Bans open-air/outdoor burning without a Burning Permit; prohibits burning of land-clearing slash and prohibited materials; bans open fires entirely in Commercial/Industrial/Comprehensive Development zones; propane/charcoal cooking appliances exempt year-round.

Machine-readable: open-burning.json · Official website: https://www.courtenay.ca/ · Last verified 2026-08-28 · Open burning & fires across British Columbia · Open burning & fires in other municipalities