Open Burning & Campfires

A burning permit is required for any property located within the Urban Containment Boundary (UCB) that is 2 acres or greater. Backyard burning is not permitted on any property within the UCB that is less than 2 acres. 

Not sure if your property is inside or outside the UCB? Enter your address in the search bar at the top of this mapping tool to find out.

To obtain a burning permit:

• Complete the Open Burning Permit Application Form
• If you are applying for a permit on a property that you don't own, complete an authorization form Agent Authorization Form.pdf 
• Submit your completed application (& authorization form if required)
  1. By email: bylaw@northcowichan.ca 
  2. By mail: Bylaw Services Department, 7030 Trans-Canada Highway, Duncan, BC, V9L 6A1
  3. In-person: Bylaw Services Department, 7030 Trans-Canada Highway 

Note:

• The Fire Protection Bylaw requires anyone burning within the Urban Containment Boundary to have a permit to do so. 
• You need a new permit for each spring and fall burning window
• Any individual found to be burning outside of the requirements (e.g. without a permit, in an area where open burning is not allowed, when the venting index is not good) is liable for a fine under the Provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation (up to $200,000) and North Cowichan's Fire Protection Bylaw  (initial fine amount $250, second offence $500, third offence $1000).

Recent studies have found that 53% of total PM2.5 emissions in the Cowichan Valley resulted from open burning. Residents should consider other means of disposing yard waste to reduce the volume of fine particulate matter being discharged into the air. As such, open burning is restricted within the urban containment boundary because these areas have the highest density of homes and businesses that can be adversely affected by smoke.

Alternatives include

• Compost at home
• Use a wood chipper
• Take yard waste (year-round and free of charge) to one of our region’s solid waste management and recycling facilities:
  • Bings Creek Solid Waste Management Complex, 3900 Drinkwater Road, North Cowichan.
  • Peerless Road Drop-Off Depot, 10830 Westdowne Road, Ladysmith. 

More information

• Phone the CVRD Recycling Hotline at 250-746-2540
• Read about the health effects of wood smoke at British Columbia Lung Association.

Under North Cowichan's Fire Protection Bylaw (PDF), campfires less than 60 cm (24 inches) in diameter are permitted as long as a fire ban is not in effect for the Coastal Fire Zone.

Follow these guidelines for campfires and recreational fire pits:

• Fire pits must be made of non-combustible material
• Only burn clean, dry firewood 
• Limit fires to 0.5 m³ in volume
• Use a tight-fitting lid of perforated metal or wire screen that does not have openings greater than 1 cm² in area
• Locate fires a minimum of 2 metres from a property line and 5 metres from a building or flammable combustible material
• Have fire-fighting equipment on hand, including at least one shovel, rake and garden hose connected to a water source
• No open fires are permitted within North Cowichan's Municipal Forest Reserve.

In general, North Cowichan looks to the BC Wildfire Services when determining whether or not fire bans and restrictions are applied within our Municipal boundaries. However,  North Cowichan may extend a prohibition on campfires due to localized conditions, so we recommend checking with the Bylaw Department prior to having a recreational campfire. Additional information about the Coastal Fire Zone and other regions of BC can be found on the BC Wildfire Services website.