Fire Service Bylaw, 2026 (No. 3710-2026) - Part 11 (Fireworks)
Abbotsford, British Columbia
· adopted 2026-03-31
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Fire Service Bylaw, 2026
Bylaw No. 3710-2026
[Consolidated and printed by authority of the Corporate Officer under section 139 of the Community Charter. Includes amendment
bylaw 3733-2026. Last amended May 26, 2026]
The Council of the City of Abbotsford, in open meeting assembled, enacts as follows:
Citation
Bylaw No. 3710-2026 shall be cited as "Fire Service Bylaw, 2026".
Part 1 - General
Purpose
1
The purposes of this bylaw are to regulate, prohibit and impose requirements in relation to
the following:
(a) the authority of the fire chief;
(b) the services of the fire department;
(c) the protection of persons, property and the environment;
(d) the prevention of nuisances and disturbances.
Definitions
2
In this bylaw:
"air curtain incinerator" has the same meaning as prescribed under the Environmental
Management Act;
"Building Code" means the most recent version of the British Columbia Building Code
established under the Building Act;
"burn seasons" means the spring burn season and the fall burn season;
"campfire" means an open fire lit, fueled or used for a recreational purpose;
"ceremonial fire" means an open fire lit, fueled or used as part of or in observance of a
ceremonial, cultural or religious practice;
"clearance letter" means a letter issued by the fire chief confirming that a premises has
been inspected and providing information about any deficiencies found at the last
inspection and any fire orders that are in place;
"combustible material" means material that is susceptible to self-heating or self-ignition;
"community care facility" has the same meaning as in the Community Care and Assisted
Living Act;
"construction/demolition fire safety plan" means a fire safety plan required under the
Fire Code in relation to construction and demolition activities;
2
"contact person" means a person who
(a) is able to attend a premises within 30 minutes of a request by the fire department or
monitoring service provider,
(b) has full access to the premises, and
(c) is able to secure the premises as directed by the fire department;
"dangerous goods" has the same meaning as in the Transport of Dangerous Goods Act;
"director" has the same meaning as in the Environmental Management Act;
"diseased vegetative debris" has the same meaning as prescribed under the
Environmental Management Act;
"excessive false fire alarm occurrence" means the second and any additional false fire
alarm that the fire department has attended in any consecutive 12-month period;
"fall burn season" means the period of time from October 1 to November 30 in a year;
"false fire alarm" means the activation of a fire alarm system that results in the
unwarranted attendance by the fire department, including the activation of the fire alarm
system
(a) during testing,
(b) in error,
(c) due to malfunction,
(e) due to severe storm conditions, or
(f) due to a disruption caused by a utility company;
"fire alarm system" means a system intended to signal the presence of fire or a situation
to which the fire department is or could reasonably be expected to respond;
"fire chief" means the person in charge of the fire department or his or her authorized
designate;
"Fire Code" means the most recent version of the British Columbia Fire Code adopted
under the Fire Safety Act;
"fire danger rating" means the current fire danger rating for the City as issued by the
British Columbia Wildfire Management Branch or its successor;
"fire department" means the Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service and includes a person or
organization performing duties or functions on behalf of the Abbotsford Fire Rescue
Service;
"fire department connection" means a hose connection to the fire protection water
system of a building for a pumper truck to supply and increase water pressure;
"fire hazard" means a condition that exists on or in a premises that endangers safety, life
or property due to fire, including a condition arising from any of the following:
(a) the physical condition of the premises, including a defective or damaged structural
component of the premises;
(b) the use or occupancy of the premises;
(c) the keeping of combustible, flammable, explosive or other hazardous materials or
substances on or in the premises;
"fire inspector" means the persons designated to conduct fire safety inspections under
section 8 [fire inspector] of this bylaw;
"fire investigator" means the persons designated to conduct fire investigations under
section 16 [fire investigators] of this bylaw;
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"fire safety plan" means a fire safety plan required under the Fire Code for building and
occupant fire safety;
"fireworks" means cannon crackers, fireballs, firecrackers, mines, roman candles, sky
rockets, squibs, torpedoes, and any other explosive designated as a firework by
regulation made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council;
"fireworks permit" means a permit issued by the fire chief authorizing the possession, use
and discharge of fireworks in accordance with Division 2 [Fireworks Permit] of Part 11
[Fireworks] of this bylaw;
"fuel break" means a barrier or a strip of land that has been modified or cleared to prevent
the spread of a fire;
"full service operations level" means the fire department is equipped and has completed
the training identified in the BC Office of the Fire Commissioner's Minimum Training
Standards to provide a full spectrum of fire services;
"incident" means an event that creates a risk or causes injury or damage to property to
which the fire department would normally respond;
"lock box" means a secure, tamper-resistant container installed on the exterior of a
premises capable of holding keys, access cards or other devices necessary to provide
the fire department with access to the premises in an emergency;
"member" means a person employed or retained by or acting voluntarily on behalf of the
fire department, including the fire chief;
"mobile food service unit" means a vehicle, trailer or other mobile structure equipped for
the preparation, storage or sale of food or beverages, and operated within the City,
including food trucks;
"monitoring service provider" means a person in the business of monitoring fire alarm
systems and reporting occurrences of fire alarms to the fire department;
"motor vehicle" has the same meaning as in the Motor Vehicle Act;
"occupier" has the same meaning as in the Fire Safety Act;
"officer" means any officer level in the fire department, including the fire chief, or a
member designated by the fire chief;
"open burning" has the same meaning as prescribed under the Environmental
Management Act;
"open burning permit" means a permit issued by the fire chief authorizing open burning in
accordance with Division 2 [Open Burning] of Part 10 [Open Fires] of this bylaw;
"open fire" has the same meaning as prescribed under the Environmental Management
Act;
"owner" has the same meaning as in the Community Charter and includes the authorized
agent of the owner;
"parcel of land" has the same meaning as prescribed under the Environmental
Management Act;
"permit" means a permit issued by or on behalf of the City under an enactment;
"police officer" has the same meaning as in the Fire Safety Act;
"premises" means, as the context requires, any of the following:
(a) a structure occupied or under construction as a private dwelling;
(b) a structure occupied or under construction as a public building;
(c) the real property on which a private dwelling or public building is located or under
construction;
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(d) a motor vehicle, railway vehicle, aircraft, vessel or other means of transportation;
"private dwelling" means any of the following:
(a) a structure that is occupied or under construction as a private residence;
(b) the part of a structure that is occupied or under construction as a private residence
if only part of the structure is occupied as a private residence;
(c) any other structure located on the parcel of land on which a private residence is
located, except for a structure
(i) to which the public is ordinarily invited or permitted access, or
(ii) that is used for commercial, industrial or institutional purposes;
"prohibited material" means the material listed in the definition of burning or incineration
of prohibited material as prescribed under the Environmental Management Act;
"property" has the same meaning as in the Interpretation Bylaw;
"public building" has the same meaning as in the Fire Safety Act;
"seasoned vegetative debris" has the same meaning as prescribed under the
Environmental Management Act;
"security alarm system" means a device or devices installed on or in a premises and
designed to activate either an audible alarm signal or to alert a monitoring facility in the
event of criminal activity or unauthorized entry;
"spring burn season" means the period of time from March 1 to April 30 in a year;
"stream" means any of the following:
(a) a watercourse or body of water, whether or not usually containing water;
(b) any of the following that is connected by surface flow to a watercourse or body of
water referred to in paragraph (a):
(i) a ditch, whether or not usually containing water;
(ii) a spring, whether or not usually containing water;
(iii) a wetland;
"temporary activity or event" includes festivals, markets, tent structures, pyrotechnic
displays, or temporary occupancy of buildings or open spaces;
"urban development boundary" has the same meaning as in the Official Community Plan
Bylaw;
"vacant premises" means a premises, except a motor vehicle, that is not occupied by a
lawful occupier and
(a) from which water, sewer, gas or electrical service has been intentionally
disconnected, other than for temporary maintenance or repair,
(b) is uninhabitable or unsuitable for other occupancy due to a fire hazard, or
(c) for which a demolition permit has been applied;
"vegetative debris" has the same meaning as prescribed under the Environmental
Management Act;
"ventilation forecast" has the same meaning as prescribed under the Environmental
Management Act;
"wholesaler" means any person, business or commercial undertaking engaged in the bulk
sales of fireworks, under a business licence issued by the City, to
(a) permit holders, or
(b) retailers outside the boundaries of the City, and
5
includes all officials, employees and shipping contractors of the wholesaler, and, for
greater certainty, does not include the retail sale of fireworks to the general public.
Interpretation
3
The Interpretation Bylaw applies to this bylaw.
Application
4
This bylaw applies to all premises within the City.
Delegation of authority by the fire chief
5
The fire chief may delegate the authority conferred on the fire chief under this bylaw to a
person acting under the authority of the fire chief.
Conflict with another enactment
6
If there is a conflict between a provision of this bylaw and the Fire Safety Act, the Fire Code
or the Building Code, the provision of the Fire Safety Act, the Fire Code or the Building Code
prevails.
Reconsideration
7
A person who is subject to a decision or an order under this bylaw may apply for
reconsideration of that decision or order by the Council in accordance with the Appeal
Procedure Bylaw.
Part 2 - Fire Safety Inspections
Fire inspectors
8
(1) All officers, or their authorized delegates, are designated as a fire inspector.
(2) Fire inspectors must meet applicable standards established by the fire commissioner
under the Fire Safety Act.
Fire safety inspections
9
(1) A fire inspector may enter a premises at any reasonable time to inspect for conditions
that may,
(a) cause a fire,
(b) increase the danger of a fire, or
(c) increase the danger to persons or property from a fire.
(2) A fire inspector may exercise the powers under section 9 [fire inspections] and section 11
[fire inspector orders] of the Fire Safety Act.
Inspection powers
10
A fire inspector may exercise the powers under section 10 [inspection powers] and of the
Fire Safety Act.
Clearance letters
11
(1) A person may request a clearance letter by submitting an application in a form prescribed
the fire chief.
(2) The fire chief may conduct an inspection prior to issuing a clearance letter.
(3) The fire chief may issue a clearance letter if, in the opinion of the fire chief,
(a) the clearance letter is necessary in the circumstances,
(b) the application referred to in subsection (1) is complete, and
(c) the person has paid the requisite fee for the clearance letter in accordance with the
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Fees and Charges Bylaw.
Part 3 - Compliance Monitoring
Risk-based compliance monitoring system
12
(1) The fire chief may implement a risk-based compliance monitoring system for public
buildings in accordance with the Fire Safety Act.
(2) The fire chief may charge the owner of a public building a non-refundable fee for
conducting a fire safety inspection under subsection (1) in accordance with the Fees and
Charges Bylaw.
(3) A person may request from the fire chief a report respecting how a fee imposed under
subsection (2) was determined.
Fire safety assessments
13
(1) A fire inspector may require an owner of a public building to complete a fire safety
assessment for the purposes of
(a) documenting and monitoring compliance with the Fire Code,
(b) increasing owner awareness of the requirements of the Fire Code, and
(c) increasing owner awareness of sources of fire and life safety risks in the building.
(2) The owner must ensure that the completed fire safety assessment is submitted to the fire
inspector within the time and in the manner specified by the fire inspector.
(3) If the owner fails to submit the completed fire safety assessment to the fire inspector, the
fire inspector may conduct a fire safety inspection.
Part 4 - Fire Investigations
Requirement to report fire
14
The occupier or, if none, the owner of premises where a fire has destroyed or damaged
property or resulted in injury or death must, if the fire department did not attend, immediately
report the fire to the fire department.
Requirement to provide information relating to fire
15
At the request of the fire chief, an owner, occupier, resident, employee or person having
direct or indirect knowledge of a premises where a fire occurs must provide the fire
department information that the person has relating to the fire or the premises damaged by
fire.
Fire investigators
16
(1) All officers are designated as a fire investigator under the Fire Safety Act.
(2) Fire investigators must meet applicable standards established by the fire commissioner
under the Fire Safety Act.
Determining whether fire occurred
17
If a fire investigator has a reasonable belief that a fire has occurred, the fire investigator may
enter a premises at any time to determine whether a fire occurred that destroyed or
damaged property or resulted in injury or death.
Investigation of fires
18
Within 5 days after the date on which the fire investigator learned of a fire that destroyed or
damaged property or resulted in injury or death, the fire investigator must investigate the
cause, origin and circumstances of the fire.
7
Fire investigator powers
19
A fire investigator may exercise the powers under section 26 [investigation powers] of the
Fire Safety Act.
Notification of suspicious fire
20
If the cause, origin or circumstances of a fire appears to be suspicious, the fire investigator
must immediately notify a police officer.
Part 5 - Evacuations
Incident evacuations
21
(1) A member in charge may order the evacuation of any geographic area or premises that is
directly involved with a fire or other risk to life.
(2) Persons evacuated under this section must not return to the geographic area or premises
until notified by the member in charge that it is safe to do so.
Tactical evacuations
22
(1) If the fire chief believes there is an immediate threat to life due to a fire hazard or
explosion, the fire chief may evacuate a geographic area or premises.
(2) For the purposes of an evacuation under this section, the fire chief may call on the
assistance of a police officer.
(3) Persons evacuated under this section must not return to the geographic area or premises
until notified by the fire chief or person authorized by the fire chief that it is safe to do so.
Part 6 - Authority of the Fire Chief
Level of suppression and response service
23
The fire department will provide fire suppression services at the full service operations level.
Prevention and suppression of fires
24
The fire chief may use any reasonable measures or take any reasonable action to prevent
and suppress fires, including the following:
(a) demolishing buildings and other structures;
(b) entering a premises or other structures with any persons and equipment that, in the
opinion of the fire chief, are required;
(c) ordering a person to provide labour, services, equipment or materials to the officer.
Amendment, suspension or revocation of a permit
25
The fire chief may amend the terms or conditions under a permit, suspend the rights granted
under a permit or revoke a permit if the fire chief reasonably believes that the activity
authorized under the permit
(a) may create a fire hazard,
(b) may cause emissions that may foul or contaminate the atmosphere in a manner that
may disturb the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of individuals or
the public, or
(c) is in contraventions of this bylaw or the terms and conditions of the permit.
Requirement to provide notice and reasons
26
If the fire chief amends, suspends or revokes a permit, the fire chief must
(a) give written notice to the applicant,
8
(b) set out in the notice referred to in subsection (a) the conditions for reinstatement of the
rights under the permit, and
(c) provide the applicant with written reasons for the amendment, suspension or
revocation.
Issuance of order
27
(1) If the fire chief finds that a person has contravened, or has authorized, permitted or
suffered the contravention, or otherwise not complied with this bylaw, the fire chief may
serve the person with an order requiring the person to comply with this bylaw.
(2) An order must be in writing and set out the following:
(a) the name of the person;
(b) the date the order was made;
(c) the address or location affected by the order;
(d) the provision of this bylaw that the person contravened or failed to comply with and a
description of the circumstances of that contravention;
(e) an explanation of how to comply with the order;
(f) the date by which the person much comply with the order;
(g) the right of the owner to request a reconsideration in accordance with the Appeal
Procedure Bylaw;
(h) any additional information required by law.
(3) The person subject to the order
(a) must comply with an order in the amount of time specified in the order, and
(b) is responsible for the costs of the order.
Part 7 - Conduct of Persons
Division 1 - Prohibited Conduct
Hindrance of a member
28
A person must not hinder a member in the execution of the duties or authority of the
member, including by doing any of the following:
(a) withholding or falsifying information;
(b) refusing to render assistance in connection with an emergency response, inspection
and fire investigation.
Refusal or neglect of access
29
A person must not refuse, hinder or neglect a member's access to a premises to which the
member has authority to access.
Prohibition of entry
30
A person must not enter a premises or an area
(a) threatened by an incident, or
(b) cordoned off by a member.
False representation
31
A person must not
(a) make a false representation as to the person being a member, or
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(b) use any item or equipment that could reasonably cause another person to believe that
the person is a member.
Driving over equipment
32
A person must not drive a vehicle over equipment of the fire department unless the person
receives the consent of the member in command.
Requirement to comply with directions
33
A person at or near an incident must not refuse or neglect to comply with directions given by
a member.
False fire alarm prohibited
34
A person must not cause a false fire alarm.
Parking in contravention of a sign or markings
35
A person must not park a motor vehicle in contravention of a sign or markings indicating
access for the fire department.
Discarding burning substances
36
A person must not discard, throw down or drop any lighted match, cigarette or other burning
substance into or near any combustible material.
Tampering or obstructing a lock box
37
A person must not tamper with or obstruct access to a lock box required under this bylaw.
Division 2 - Vacant Premises and Premises Damaged by Fire
Requirement to secure premises after fire
38
Within 2 hours after having knowledge that a fire has been extinguished, an owner or
occupier of a premises damaged by fire must secure the premises against unauthorized
entry in a manner acceptable to the fire chief.
Requirement to secure vacant premises
39
Within 24 hours after having knowledge that the premises are vacant, the owner or occupier
of a vacant premises must secure the premises against fire and unauthorized entry in a
manner acceptable to the fire chief.
Order to secure premises
40
(1) Where an owner fails to secure a premises as required by section 38 [requirement to
secure premises after fire] or section 39 [requirement to secure vacant premises] of this
bylaw, a fire chief may order the owner to secure the building or other part of the premises
against fire or unauthorized entry in a manner acceptable to the fire chief. [B/L 3733-2026]
(2) The order in subsection (1) must be made in writing.
(3) If an owner of a premises fails to bring the premises into compliance with the order within
24 hours of receiving the order, or if the fire chief is unable to contact the owner within 24
hours of finding the premises in an unsecured state, the fire chief may cause the premises to
be secured by City employees, contractors or agents.
(4) City employees, contractors or agents may secure doors, windows and other points of
entry into the premises to prevent fire or unauthorized entry.
Part 8 - Protection of Persons and Property
Division 1 - Fire Prevention
10
Fires in public places
41
A person must not start a fire in a public place if a fire is likely to
(a) endanger the safety of a person,
(b) cause damage to a property or a thing, or
(c) interfere with an activity.
Fire hazards
42
An owner or occupier of a premises must ensure that no fire hazard exists on or in the
premises.
Elimination of fire hazards
43
If a member finds conditions that, in the member's opinion, constitute a fire hazard, the fire
chief may direct the owner or occupant of the premises on which the hazardous conditions
exist to reduce, remove or eliminate the hazard in a manner acceptable to the fire chief.
Accumulation of combustible material
44
An owner or occupier of a premises or vacant premises must not permit combustible material
to accumulate in quantities or in a location on the premises that could create a fire hazard.
Accumulation of vegetation
45
An owner or occupier of real property must cut down and remove from the real property all
vegetation that is susceptible to self-heating or self-ignition and could endanger the real
property.
Residential fireplaces and woodstoves
46
A person must not fuel a residential fireplace or woodstove unless
(a) the material used is intended for use as fuel in residential fireplaces and woodstoves,
and
(b) the material does not contain painted, treated or adhesive materials.
Outdoor heating
47
A person must not use an outdoor heating appliance unless the outdoor heating appliance
(a) is specifically designed for heating,
(b) is used for heating, and
(c) is powered by electricity or fueled by propane or natural gas.
Outdoor cooking
48
A person must not use an outdoor cooking appliance unless the outdoor cooking appliance
(a) is specifically designed for cooking food,
(b) is used for cooking food, and
(c) is powered by electricity or fueled by propane, natural gas or wood pellets.
Nuisance
49
Every person who willfully or recklessly and without reasonable cause
(a) sets fire to which the fire department must respond,
(b) makes or causes to be made a false fire alarm,
(c) causes a fire or loss that can be directly attributed to the use of fireworks contrary to
the provisions of this bylaw, or
(d) carries out open burning of combustible materials without an open burning permit
Is deemed to have caused a nuisance.
11
Dangerous goods
50
A person who is responsible for any dangerous goods that
(a) pose a risk to health, safety, property or the environment, and
(b) give rise to an incident or unsafe conditions due to the transport, storage or use of the
dangerous goods,
must clean up and completely dispose of the dangerous goods in a safe and prompt
manner.
Garbage containers
51
(1) A commercial or communal garbage container that has a capacity of 90 litres or more
must be stored in a location approved by the fire chief.
(2) The location where a commercial or communal garbage container is stored must be at
least 5 metres from the combustible material or an unprotected building opening unless
(a) the location cannot accommodate the 5-metre clearance,
(b) a non-combustible container with a non-combustible self-closing lid is used,
(c) the container is not a hold-open device,
(d) the container is stored at least one metre from combustible material and an
unprotected building opening, and
(e) the container is placed in a location approved by the fire chief.
Extreme fire danger rating
52
(1) If at any time the fire danger rating reaches "extreme", the fire chief may temporarily
close any or all parks and trail systems in the City.
(2) A person must not enter into any park or trail system closed under subsection (1).
Division 2 - Fire Alarm Systems
Activation
53
A person must not activate a fire alarm system unless
(a) there is a fire or explosion,
(b) the person believes that a fire or explosion is occurring or is imminent,
(c) the person believes that an incident to which the person believes the fire department
would normally respond is occurring or is imminent, or
(d) the fire chief authorizes the person to activate the fire alarm system.
Monitoring service provider
54
The fire alarm system of a building required by the Building Code to have a fire alarm system
must be continuously monitored by a monitoring service provider certified by Underwriters
Laboratories of Canada for monitoring fire alarm systems.
Contact person
55
(1) An owner or occupier of a building with a fire alarm system must do the following:
(a) within 72 hours of installing a fire alarm system, give written notice to the fire
department of the names, addresses and telephone numbers of
(i) the monitoring service provider for the fire alarm system, and
(ii) at least 2 contact persons;
(b) within 7 days of any change to the name, address or telephone number of the
monitoring service provider or contact person, give written notice to the fire
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department.
(2) An owner or occupier must provide the written notice required in subsection (1) in a form
acceptable to the fire chief.
Failure of contact person to attend
56
(1) Where a contact person designated under section 55 [contact person] fails to attend a
premises within 30 minutes of being notified by the fire department, the fire department may
use whatever means necessary to gain entry to the premises and investigate the alarm.
(2) The fire department is not liable for any damage to the premises caused by the forced
entry authorized under this section.
(3) The City may charge an owner or occupier of the premises the actual costs to the City,
calculated in accordance with the Fees and Charges Bylaw, for all time during which the fire
department remained on standby at the premises, commencing after the 30 minutes referred
to in subsection (1) and until such time as a contact person, owner or occupier attends at,
provides access to or secures the premises.
Testing, repair and maintenance
57
An owner or occupier of a premises must notify the monitoring service provider for the fire
alarm system for the premises when carrying out testing, repair or maintenance to a fire
alarm system.
Division 3 - Fire Department Access
Signs and markings for fire department access
58
(1) A sign or marking stating Fire Lane - No Parking" must be posted on streets, yards and
roadways provided for fire department access.
(2) If a street, yard or roadway provided for fire department access is secured by a gate,
bollard, chain or other similar removable barrier approved by the fire chief,
(a) a sign must be permanently mounted on each side of the removable assembly,
(b) the sign must display lettering of at least 7.5 centimetres by 6 centimetres, and
(c) the sign must state the following in the following order:
(i) "Emergency Access Only";
(ii) "No Parking";
(iii) "By Order of the Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service".
(3) The size and colour of a sign or markings must be approved by the fire chief before the
installation of the sign or display of markings.
Fire department connection
59
(1) Every building to which the Building Code applies that is
(a) Equipped with a standpipe, sprinkler or other fire suppression system, or
(b) Designated by the fire chief
must be equipped with a fire department connection.
(2) A fire department connection must be
(a) installed in a manner prescribed by the fire chief,
(b) installed in a location approved by the fire chief,
(c) unobstructed at all times,
(d) compatible with fire department equipment, and
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(e) maintained in good working order and inspected regularly in accordance with the Fire
Code or other applicable standards.
(3) An owner must post signage at or adjacent to the fire department connection
(a) identifying the fire department connection,
(b) indicating the system(s) it serves, and
(c) the civic address or unit identification of the building
(4) If site conditions change or if the fire chief deems the fire department connection
inadequate for emergency operations, the fire chief may require an owner to relocate, modify
or upgrade the fire department connection.
Requirement for lock box
60
(1) The fire chief may require an owner of a premises to install and maintain a lock box for
the use by the fire department in an emergency.
(2) The lock box must
(a) contain a copy of keys, access cards or other devices necessary to access the
premises and its fire suppression systems, alarm system controls and life safety
system operations,
(b) be installed in a location and in a manner approved by the fire chief at the owner's
expense,
(c) be a type of lock box approved by the fire chief,
(d) be free from damage, and
(e) be accessible to the fire chief at all times.
(3) An owner must label the keys, access cards or other devices referred to in subsection (2)
(a) in a manner that identifies the specific area, system or function to which they provide
access.
Owner must notify fire department of changes
61
An owner must notify the fire chief immediately of any changes to locks, access systems or
building configurations that affect emergency access.
City not liable for lock box damage
62
The City and the fire department are not liable for any loss or damage resulting from the use
or misuse of the lock box or its contents, except in cases of gross negligence by the City or
the fire department.
Division 4 - Safety Planning Requirements
Fire safety plan
63
An owner of a building for which a fire safety plan is required must prepare a fire safety plan
in a form prescribed by the fire chief.
Construction/demolition fire safety plan
64
An owner of a building for which a construction/demolition fire safety plan is required must
prepare a construction/demolition fire safety plan in a form prescribed by the fire chief.
Review of plans by owner
65
(1) An owner of a building for which a fire safety plan is required must review the fire safety
plan every 12 months.
(2) An owner of a building for which a construction/demolition fire safety plan is required
must
14
(a) review and update the fire safety plan before the start of each phase of construction or
the commencement of demolition operations, as applicable, and
(b) update the fire safety plan if there is a material change to the use or occupancy of the
building.
Approval of updates
66
An owner of a building must
(a) obtain the fire chief's approval of any updates to a fire safety plan, and
(b) pay the fee for review of the fire safety plan calculated in accordance with the Fees and
Charges Bylaw.
Part 9 - Event Safety
Division 1 - Temporary Activities and Events
Approval for a temporary activity or event
67
A person holding a temporary activity or event that, in the opinion of the fire chief, may
impact fire safety, must obtain approval from the fire department.
Request for approval of temporary activity or event
68
(1) To obtain approval for a temporary activity or event, a person must submit a request
including the following information:
(a) a description of the activity or event;
(b) the proposed location and duration of the activity or event;
(c) a site or floor plan that identifies the layout, access routes and fire protection
measures;
(d) any other information required by the fire chief.
(2) The request must be submitted to the fire chief at least 10 business days before the start
date of the temporary activity or event.
Refusal of request for temporary activity or event
69
The fire chief may refuse to approve a temporary activity or event if
(a) The fire chief has not received and approved the information required in section 68
[request for approval of temporary activity or event] of this bylaw, or
(b) In the fire chief's opinion,
(i) any other applicable provision of this bylaw has not been met, or
(ii) the temporary event or activity poses a risk to public safety.
Fire chief may impose conditions for temporary activity or event
70
The fire chief may include terms and conditions with the approval, including the following:
(a) provision of fire extinguishers or suppression systems;
(b) maintenance of clear access for emergency vehicles;
(c) restrictions on open flames, heating devices or hazardous materials;
(d) occupant load limits and egress requirements;
(e) provision of a fire watch by the owner, occupant or the fire department.
Fire chief may require modifications
71
The fire chief may require modifications to the approved temporary activity or event if, in the
fire chief's opinion, public safety is at risk.
Failure to obtain approval or comply with conditions
15
72
If a person fails to obtain approval for a temporary activity or event or fails to comply with
conditions imposed on a temporary activity or event, the fire chief may immediately suspend
or cancel the temporary activity or event.
Division 2 - Occupant Loads
Approval required for occupant load
73
(1) A person must obtain the fire department's approval of the occupant load before holding
an event in a public place or private venue in the City where
(a) the expected attendance exceeds 500 people, or
(b) liquor is served.
(2) A private venue does not include a private dwelling.
(3) A public space or private venue includes parks, plazas, community facilities or temporary
structures.
Request for approval of occupant load
74
To obtain approval, a person must complete an application including the following
information:
(a) a description of the event,
(b) the proposed location and duration of the event,
(c) a site plan, and
(d) any other information required by the fire chief.
Fire chief may refuse to approve occupant load
75
The fire chief may refuse to approve an event's occupant load if
(a) The fire chief has not received and approved the information required in section 74
[request for approval of occupant load], or
(b) In the fire chief's opinion,
(i) any other applicable provision of this bylaw has not been met, or
(ii) the temporary event or activity poses a risk to public safety.
Fire chief may impose conditions for occupant load
76
The fire chief may include terms and conditions with the approval, including the following:
(a) provision of fire extinguishers or suppression systems,;
(b) maintenance of clear access for emergency vehicles;
(c) adequate and unobstructed means of egress;
(d) provision for washroom and sanitation facilities based on occupancy;
(e) safe arrangement of furnishings and temporary structures.
Existing buildings with modified layouts
77
(1) Where a building or area in the City has an occupant load established under the Building
Code, that occupant load applies only if the layout and use of the space conform to the
approved configuration.
(2) If the layout or use of the space differs from the approved configuration, the fire chief may
order modifications to the occupant load.
Division 3 - Mobile Food Service Units
Compliance label
16
78
A person who wishes to operate a mobile food service unit must
(a) obtain a compliance label issued by the fire chief, and
(b) comply with all applicable fire safety regulations as prescribed in this bylaw and by the
fire chief.
Mobile food service unit requirements
79
All mobile food service units must
(a) be equipped with a certified fire suppression system appropriate for commercial
cooking operations,
(b) maintain portable fire extinguishers in accordance with the Fire Code or applicable
provincial standards,
(c) ensure all propane and fuel systems
(i) are installed and maintained in accordance with the Canadian Standards
Association and fire safety standards, and
(ii) meet the approvals of Technical Safety BC, and
(d) prior to operating, pass a fire safety inspection by the fire department.
Fire chief may refuse compliance label
80
The fire chief may refuse to issue a compliance label to a mobile food service unit it
(a) any of the requirements in section 79 [mobile food service unit requirements] are not
met, or
(b) in the fire chief's opinion, any other applicable provision of this bylaw has not been met.
Compliance label must be visible
81
(1) A person who obtains a compliance label must display the compliance label on the
mobile food service unit in a visible position.
(2) If a compliance label is not visibly displayed, the fire chief may order the mobile food
service unit to cease operations immediately.
Operator must keep inspection records
82
(1) A person operating a mobile food service unit must maintain records of any inspections
conducted on the mobile food service unit.
(2) Inspection records must be available to the fire chief upon the fire chief's request.
Additional requirements or conditions
83
The fire chief may impose additional requirements or conditions for the operation of a mobile
food service unit based on the location, event or risk assessment.
Part 10 - Open Fires
No open fire if ban imposed
84
No person may have an open fire if the fire department or fire chief have imposed a ban on
igniting open fires.
Division 1 - Campfires and Ceremonial Fires
Conditions for campfires
85
A person must not light, fuel or use a campfire unless the following conditions are met:
(a) the fire is started within a fire pit provided by the City and the fire pit has not been
closed by the City;
17
(b) the person must be equipped with a means to extinguish the fire, including water, sand
or a fire extinguisher;
(c) the fire burns wood or vegetation that is seasoned, dead and lying on the ground;
(d) the fire is no larger than 0.5 metres in height and 0.5 metres in width;
(e) it is safe to light, fuel or use a campfire and is likely to continue to be safe;
(f) while the campfire is burning, the person ensures that the fire is watched and
supervised by a person to prevent escape of fire;
(g) before leaving the area, the person ensures that the fire is extinguished and that the
ashes are cool to touch.
Conditions for ceremonial fires
86
(1) A person may light, fuel or use a ceremonial fire if the following conditions are met:
(a) at least 72 hours before the ceremonial fire, the person notifies the fire department of
the time, date and location of the ceremonial fire;
(b) the person establishes a fuel break around the burn area;
(c) while the fire is burning, the person must ensure that
(i) the fuel break is maintained, and
(ii) the fire is watched and supervised by a person to prevent escape of fire;
(d) the person must be equipped with a means to extinguish the fire, including water, sand
or a fire extinguisher;
(e) the fire does not burn prohibited material;
(f) the fire is not conducted when an "extreme" fire danger rating is issued unless
otherwise authorized by the fire chief;
(g) the fire burns material in one pile no larger than 0.6 metres in height and 0.75 metres in
width, unless otherwise authorized by the fire chief;
(h) before leaving the area, the person ensures that the fire is extinguished and that the
ashes are cool to touch.
(2) Nothing in this bylaw will be interpreted to restrict or infringe upon the rights of any
Indigenous peoples to conduct ceremonial or sacred fires in accordance with their traditions
and practices, as protected under a domestic enactment.
Division 2 - Open Burning
Open burning permit required
87
A person must obtain an open burning permit in order to carry on open burning.
Open burning permit application
88
(1) A person applying for an open burning permit must
(a) submit an application in a form prescribed by the fire chief, and
(b) pay a fee calculated in accordance with the Fees and Charges Bylaw.
(2) A person may apply for an opening burning permit for
(c) the spring burn season, or
(d) the fall burn season.
Open burning permit expiry
89
Subject to section 90 [burning outside of burn seasons], an open burning permit for
(a) the spring burn season expires on the last day of the spring burn season, and
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(b) the fall burn season expires on the last day of the fall burn season.
Burning outside of burn seasons
90
A person must not carry out open burning outside of the burn seasons unless the person has
obtained written approval from the fire chief to carry out open burning outside of the burn
seasons.
Number of open burnings in a year
91
A person must not carry out open burning on a single parcel of land on more than 12 days in
a calendar year.
Notification requirements
92
At least 24 hours in advance of starting an open burning, a person must use reasonable
efforts to notify the occupants and managers of the following places that are located within
500 metres of the parcel of land on which the open burning is to be carried out:
(a) a private dwelling;
(b) a business;
(c) a school;
(d) a community care facility.
Conditions when open burning starts
93
(1) Despite any other provision in this bylaw, a person must not carry out an open burning if
the mixing of air and smoke would likely cause the smoke that would be emitted by the open
burning to
(a) negatively impact the urban development boundary, or
(b) significantly reduce visibility to a nearby airport or highway.
(2) A person carrying out an open burning must extinguish immediately an open burning that
creates either condition listed in subsection (1).
Ventilation forecast
94
A person must not carry out an open burning unless the ventilation forecast for the Fraser
Valley, listed on the BC Government Ventilation Index, is "good" for the day the opening
burning starts.
Time of open burning
95
A person who carries out an open burning must ensure that the open burning
(a) does not start earlier than one hour after sunrise, and
(b) ends by the later of
(i) 4:00 p.m. on the same day the open burning starts, and
(ii) 2 hours before sunset on the same day the open burning starts.
Burn material permitted
96
A person who carries out an open burning must only burn seasoned vegetative debris that
originates from agricultural production or processing.
Prohibited material
97
A person must not burn in an open burning
(a) prohibited material, or
(b) diseased vegetative debris, unless the person has
(i) obtained the verification or confirmation of the diseased vegetative debris
under section 24 [verification or confirmation of diseased vegetative debris] of
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the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation, and
(ii) notified the director in writing at least 24 hours before starting the open
burning of the diseased vegetative debris.
Origin of materials
98
A person must not carry out open burning of material that does not originate from the parcel
of land on which the open burning is to be carried out, unless the material originates from a
parcel of land
(a) of which that person is the registered owner, and
(b) located within 5 kilometre radius of the parcel of land on which the open burning is to
be carried out.
Size of burn materials
99
A person must not carry out open burning of material exceeding 10 centimetres in diameter.
Size of burn pile
100 A person must not carry out an open burning of a pile exceeding 3 metres in width and 2
metres in height, unless the person obtains an open burning permit authorizing a larger burn
pile.
Number of burn piles
101 A person must not carry out open burning of more than one pile at one time on a parcel of
land.
Setbacks for open burning
102 Subject to section 103 [setbacks for open burning using an air curtain incinerator], a person
who carries out an open burning must ensure that the open burning is carried out at least
(a) 15 metres from
(i) a hedge,
(ii) a fence,
(iii) a structure,
(iv) a stream,
(v) a power line,
(vi) a pipeline,
(vii) a telephone line, and
(viii)
a public utility,
(b) 30 metres from a street,
(c) 100 metres from
(i) a private dwelling, and
(ii) a structure that contains a business in which persons carry on the business
during regular business hours,
(d) 500 metres from the nearest property line of
(i) a school,
(ii) a community care facility, and
(iii) an airport, and
(e) 1,000 metres from the nearest property line of a hospital.
Setbacks for open burning using an air curtain incinerator
103 A person who carries out an open burning using an air curtain incinerator must ensure that
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the open burning is carried out at least
(a) 3 metres from
(i) a hedge, and
(ii) a fence,
(b) 6 metres from
(i) a structure,
(ii) a stream,
(iii) a power line,
(iv) a pipeline,
(v) a telephone line, and
(vi) a public utility,
(c) 30 metres from a street,
(d) 100 metres from
(i) a private dwelling, and
(ii) a structure that contains a business in which persons carry on the business
during regular business hours,
(e) 500 metres from the nearest property line of
(i) a school,
(ii) a community care facility, and
(iii) an airport, and
(f) 1,000 metres from the nearest property line of a hospital.
Requirement to minimize amount of vegetative debris
104 Before carrying out an open burning, a person must ensure that every reasonable alternative
for reducing, reusing or recycling the vegetative debris is used in order to minimize the
amount of vegetative debris to be burned in the open burning.
Requirement to minimize smoke emissions
105 A person who carries out open burning must ensure that all reasonable efforts are taken to
minimize the amount of smoke emitted by the open burning, including by doing the following:
(a) minimizing any soil content that may be mixed in with the seasoned vegetative debris;
(b) constructing the pile in a way that maximizes the air flow through the pile.
Part 11 - Fireworks
Division 1 - Fireworks Regulations
Selling, giving or trading fireworks
106 A person other than a wholesaler must not offer for sale, sell, give or trade fireworks in the
City.
Possession of fireworks
107 A person must not possess fireworks in the City unless that person is
(a) a wholesaler, or
(b) authorized by a fireworks permit issued under this bylaw.
Use or discharge of fireworks
108 A person must not use, fire, light, set off, detonate, explode, activate or discharge fireworks
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in the City unless authorized by a fireworks permit issued under this bylaw.
Confiscation of fireworks
109 (1) The fire chief may, in the interests of public safety, confiscate fireworks from any person.
(2) Where the fire chief confiscates fireworks from a person under subsection (1), the person
must surrender all fireworks in their immediate possession to the fire chief.
Division 2 - Fireworks Permit
Application for fireworks permit
110 (1) A person who wishes to obtain a fireworks permit must complete a fireworks permit
application including the following information:
(a) a site plan and details of the location, duration and safety measures in place;
(b) proof of valid fireworks operator certificate issued by the Government of Canada's
Explosives Regulatory Division of Natural Resources Canada;
(c) payment for the fireworks permit fee and security deposit in accordance with the Fees
and Charges Bylaw;
(d) any other information the fire chief deems necessary.
(2) The fireworks application must be made
(e) in a form prescribed by the fire chief, and
(f) at least 14 days before the date the fireworks will be used or discharged.
Issuance or refusal of fireworks permit
111 Subject to the provisions of this bylaw and the Explosives Act and its regulations, the fire
chief may issue or refuse a fireworks permit.
Suspension or cancellation of fireworks permit
112 The fire chief may suspend or cancel a fireworks permit if the fire chief reasonably believes
the permit holder has contravened or has authorized, permitted or suffered the contravention
of any provision of
(a) this bylaw,
(b) the Fire Safety Act and its regulations,
(c) any other applicable enactment, or
(d) the fireworks permit's terms or conditions.
Insurance required
113 (1) The permit holder of a fireworks permit must carry comprehensive general liability
insurance with an insurer licenced in British Columbia.
(2) The comprehensive general liability insurance referred to in subsection (1) must include
all of the following:
(a) coverage for bodily injury and property damage;
(b) the City, its officers, agents, employees and volunteers as a named insured;
(c) if the site is owned or occupied by the school district, the school district as a named
insured;
(d) a cross liability clause;
(e) minimum liability coverage of $5,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property
damage;
(f) minimum 30 days' written notice to the City of cancellation or material change of the
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insurance
Site inspection required
114 Every person applying for a fireworks permit must
(a) accompany the fire department on an initial site inspection and any required site re-
inspection, and
(b) pay the applicable inspection and re-inspection fees in accordance with the Fees and
Charges Bylaw.
Part 12 - Fees and Cost Recovery
Division 1 - General Cost Recovery
City action at defaulter's expense
115 If a person subject to a requirement under this bylaw fails to take the required action, the fire
chief may
(a) fulfill the requirement at the expense of the person, and
(b) recover the costs incurred from that person as a debt.
Recovery of fees and costs as special fees
116 If the City does work or provides services in relation to land or improvements, the City may
recover the fees and costs incurred by the City as special fees in accordance with Division
14 [Recovery of Special Fees] of Part 7 [Municipal Revenue] of the Community Charter.
Division 2 - Attendance by Fire Department
Incident costs
117 If a person does any of the following that results in an incident to which the fire department
responds the person must pay the applicable incident attendance costs calculated in
accordance with the Fees and Charges Bylaw:
(a) causes damage to property by
(i) intentionally starting or adding fuel to a fire, or
(ii) using an explosive device or substance;
(b) summons the fire department without reasonable belief that an incident was imminent
or occurring;
(c) possesses fireworks that the fire chief confiscates under section 109 [confiscation of
fireworks] of this bylaw;
(d) contravenes this bylaw, a permit issued under this bylaw or an order issued under this
bylaw;
(e) contravenes the Good Neighbour Bylaw
Demolishing or removing a building
118 If the fire chief or the member in charge demolishes or removes a building in whole or in part
at an incident to complete extinguishment of a fire or remove a serious threat to public
safety, the owner must pay the applicable incident attendance costs incurred by the fire
department to demolish or remove all or parts of the building calculated in accordance with
the Fees and Charges Bylaw.
Nuisance and dangerous goods incidents
119 (1) Every person who causes a nuisance under section 49 [nuisance] must pay the
applicable incident attendance costs incurred by the fire department to abate the nuisance.
(2) A person who fails to comply with section 50 [dangerous goods] must pay the applicable
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incident attendance costs incurred by the fire department
(a) to clean up and dispose of the dangerous goods,
(b) to mitigate the incident, and
(c) for the repair, decontamination and replacement of equipment damaged or
contaminated while attending the incident.
(3) the incident attendance costs referred to in subsection (1) and (2) will be calculated in
accordance with the Fees and Charges Bylaw.
Security alarms
120 An owner or occupier of a premises to which the fire department has attended in response to
an activation of a security alarm system that has been routed to the fire department must
pay a fee calculated in accordance with the Fees and Charges Bylaw.
False fire alarms
121 (1) An owner or occupier of a premises to which the fire department has attended in
response to a false fire alarm must pay
(a) the applicable incident attendance costs calculated in accordance with the Fees and
Charges Bylaw, and
(b) a fee for any excessive false fire alarm calculated in accordance with the Fees and
Charges Bylaw.
(2) The fire chief may waive a cost or fee payable under subsection (1) if the following
conditions are met:
(a) the owner or occupier provides the fire chief with written evidence from a fire protection
technician that improvements have been made to the premises to reduce or eliminate
subsequent false fire alarms;
(b) the owner or occupier submits the evidence to the fire chief within 30 days of the most
recent false fire alarm.
Fire alarm system testing
122 An owner or occupier must pay the applicable incident attendance costs calculated in
accordance with the Fees and Charges Bylaw if the owner or occupier fails to notify the fire
alarm system monitoring service provider when carrying out testing, repair or maintenance to
a fire alarm system and members attend the premises as a result of that failure.
Special events and filming activity
123 A person must pay the applicable incident attendance costs calculated in accordance with
the Fees and Charges Bylaw if
(a) the person has a fire in connection with a special event or filming activity authorized by
the Outdoor Special Event, Filming and Activities Bylaw or a permit issued under either
of those bylaws,
(b) the person requests the attendance of the fire department at a special event or filming
activity, or
(c) the fire chief considers that the supervision by members is necessary to ensure the
safety of persons and property at a special event or filming activity.
Inspections
124 Every person who obtains any of the following inspections by the fire department must pay a
fee calculated in accordance with the Fees and Charges Bylaw:
(a) a special request inspection of a building, structure or site to determine compliance
with this bylaw or the Fire Code;
24
(b) an inspection under Part 2 [Fire Safety Inspections] or section 13 [fire safety
assessments] of this bylaw;
(c) a special event or pre-filming inspection to ensure compliance with the Outdoor Special
Event, Filming and Activities Bylaw or permits issued under either of those bylaws;
(d) re-inspection of a premises after an incident or after an order has been issued under
this bylaw.
Vacant premises
125 An owner of a vacant premises must pay the applicable incident attendance costs calculated
in accordance with the Fees and Charges Bylaw if the fire department incurs such costs for
(a) response to any fire, fire hazard or other incident at the premises,
(b) additional City personnel, consumables and damage to City equipment resulting from a
response to any fire, fire hazard or other incident at the premises, and
(c) demolition, clean up, abatement, removal, disposal and safe transport of a building or
structure on the premises.
Division 3 - Fees for Other Services
Investigation and report
126 If the fire chief must complete an investigation and report under section 25 [investigation of
fires] of the Fire Safety Act, the owner or occupier of the premises must pay a fee in
accordance with the Fees and Charges Bylaw.
Request for copy of report
127 A person requesting a copy of the following reports from the fire department must pay a fee
in accordance with the Fees and Charges Bylaw:
(a) motor vehicle or medical incident report;
(b) any other report.
Part 13 - Repeal and Consequential Amendments
Repeal
128 The Fire Service Bylaw, 2020 and Fireworks Bylaw, 2005 are repealed.
Consequential Amendments - Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw
129 Section 8 (1) of the Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw, 2020 is amended by striking out subsection
(e) and renumbering the subsections accordingly.
Consequential Amendments - Fees and Charges Bylaw
130 The following is added as Schedule "D" [Fire Rescue Services] to the Fees and Charges
Bylaw:
1.
DEFINITIONS
Words or phrases used in this Schedule must be interpreted consistently with the Fire
Service Bylaw;
"actual cost" means the costs incurred by the City for all applicable labour, materials,
and equipment;
"consumables" means a commodity, such as gasoline, that is consumable.
2.
INCIDENT ATTENDANCE COSTS
(a) Equipment costs
25
The cost that applies to the type of equipment used by the fire department set out in
Column 1 of Table 1 is the cost set out in Column 2 of Table 1 opposite the type of
equipment.
Table 1 - Equipment Costs
Item
Column 1
Equipment
Column 2
Cost
1
fire engine
$590 per hour
2
tender
$1,130 per hour
3
squad
$590 per hour
4
aerial
$1,090 per hour
5
incident support (air, rehab)
$1,210 per hour
6
department operations centre
$3,700 per hour
(b) Unit costs
The cost that applies to the type of unit dispatched by the fire department set out in
Column 1 of Table 2 is the cost set out in Column 2 of Table 2 opposite the type of unit.
Table 2 - Unit Costs
Item
Column 1
Unit
Column 2
Cost
1
hazardous materials unit and trailer
$750 per hour
2
special operations unit and trailer
$750 per hour
3
wildland unit
$400 per hour
(c) Personnel costs
The cost that applies to the member dispatched by the fire department set out in
Column 1 of Table 3 is the cost set out in Column 2 of Table 3 opposite the member.
Table 3 - Personnel Costs
Item
Column 1
Member
Column 2
Cost
1
duty officer
$150 per hour
2
platoon captain
$100 per hour
3
fire prevention officer
$92 per hour
4
training officer captain
$92 per hour
5
captain
$84 per hour
6
investigator/educator/inspector
$80 per hour
7
firefighter
$66 per hour
(d) Costs of consumables used by the fire department.....................Actual Costs
3.
ATTENDANCE COST FOR ACTIVATION OF SECURITY ALARM................$250.00
4.
ATTENDANCE COST FOR EXCESSIVE FALSE FIRE ALARM
(a) Residential building of up to 4 dwelling units per lot
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The cost that applies to each excessive false fire alarm occurrence in relation to a
residential building of up to 4 dwelling units per lot, including a single-family dwelling,
townhouse and duplex, is the cost set out in Column 2 of Table 4 opposite the number
of false fire alarms set out in Column 1 of Table 4.
Table 4 - Excessive False Fire Alarm Costs in Small Residential Buildings
Item
Column 1
Number of false fire alarms
Column 2
Cost
1
second false fire alarm
$50
2
third false fire alarm
$150
3
fourth fire false alarm
$200
4
fifth and each subsequent false fire
alarm
$400
(b) Residential building of more than 4 dwellings per lot
The cost that applies to each excessive false fire alarm occurrence in relation to a
residential building of more than 4 dwelling units per lot, is the cost set out in Column
2 of Table 5 opposite the number of false fire alarms set out in Column 1 of Table 5.
Table 5 - Excessive False Fire Alarm Costs in Large Residential
Buildings
Item
Column 1
Number of false fire alarms
Column 2
Cost
1
second false fire alarm
$150
2
third false fire alarm
$300
3
fourth fire false alarm
$600
4
fifth and each subsequent false fire
alarm
$1,200
(c) Commercial buildings
The cost that applies to each excessive false fire alarm occurrence in relation to a
commercial building, including a commercial building with residential units, is the
cost set out in Column 2 of Table 6 opposite the number of false fire alarms set out
in Column 1 of Table 6.
Table 6 - Excessive False Fire Alarm Costs in Commercial Buildings
Item
Column 1
Number of false fire alarms
Column 2
Cost
1
second false fire alarm
$150
2
third false fire alarm
$300
3
fourth false fire alarm
$600
4
fifth and each subsequent false fire
alarm
$1,200
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5.
INSPECTION COSTS
(a) inspection.............................................................................$150.00
(b) re-inspection.........................................................................$300.00
6.
OPEN BURNING PERMIT......................................................................$50.00
7.
FIRE SAFETY PLAN REVIEW................................................... $300 (for up to 2
hours of review time), plus $150 per hour for each additional hour or part of an hour
beyond the initial 2 hours.
8.
CONSTRUCTION/DEMOLITION FIRE SAFETY PLAN REVIEW...................$150.00
9.
CLEARANCE LETTER........................................................................$150.00
10. INVESTIGATION AND REPORT............................................................$500.00
11. COPY OF REPORTS
(a) fire investigation report.............................................................$150.00
(b) motor vehicle report or medical incident report...............................$150.00
(c) any other report......................................................................$150.00
12. FIREWORKS PERMIT
(a) permit fee..............................................................................$150.00
(b) security deposit....................................................................$1,000.00
(c) inspection fee.........................................................................$150.00
(d) re-inspection fee.....................................................................$300.00
Consequential Amendments - Good Neighbour Bylaw
131 (1) Section 16 (1) (b) of the Good Neighbour Bylaw, 2024 is amended by adding "and" after
"the spreading of fires".
(2) Section 16 (1) of the Good Neighbour Bylaw, 2024 is amended by striking subsection (d).
Consequential Amendments - Parks Bylaw
132 Section 7 of the Parks Bylaw, 2016 is amended by striking out "Fireworks Bylaw, 2005" and
substituting "Fire Service Bylaw".
Consequential Amendments - Petroleum Products and Equipment Bylaw
133 Section 2 and section 6 (d) of the Petroleum Products and Equipment Bylaw, 2020 are
amended by striking out "Fire Services Act" and substituting "Fire Safety Act".
READ A FIRST TIME on March 10, 2026,
READ A SECOND TIME on March 10, 2026,
READ A THIRD TIME on March 10, 2026,
ADOPTED on March 31, 2026
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