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## **Open Burning is permitted from October 15 to April 15.**
## How do I apply for a Burn Permit on Bowen Island?
Changes have been made to the way Burn Permits are issued on Bowen Island. To receive a Burn Permit, these steps must be followed:
1. Determine if your property is eligible for open burning. Use BowMap to locate your property and use the measuring tool to verify that your chosen burn location meets the required distance setbacks. **Metro Vancouver requires that the burn location must be at least 100m from buildings on neighboring properties and 500m from the property lines of hospitals, schools and community care facilities.** If your burn location does not meet the setback requirements you are ineligible for a Burn Permit and should not apply.
2. Obtain burn authorization from Metro Vancouver Open Burning Authorization and Registration | Metro Vancouver.
3. Apply for a Bowen Island Municipality Category Two or Category Three Burn Permit. To do this, you will need your Metro Vancouver registration number that you will have received in Step 2. If you did not receive a registration number as part of Step 2, please contact Metro Vancouver.
4. Wait for the Fire Chief to verify the eligibility for your burn pile location.
5. Once the Fire Chief has determined your property to be eligible for an open burning permit you will be contacted via email and required to make a payment. On receiving payment your permit will be issued by the Fire Chief.
## Types of open burning
### Category 1 (campfires)
A campfire is defined as an open fire that burns piled materials no larger than 0.5m in height by 0.5m in width and is used for recreational purposes e.g. cooking or warmth. Only dry wood is permitted. You do not need a permit to have a campfire.
So can I have a campfire? Campfires are restricted based on Fire Danger Rating. Check the Fire Danger Rating before lighting a campfire.
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### Category 2 (burn barrels/hand stacked burn piles)
A Category 2 fire is defined as one to two concurrently burning piles no larger than 2m high by 3m wide. A Category 2 fire requires permits, which are only issued between October 15 and April 15. Category 2 fires are not permitted at any other time.
**Metro Vancouver Authorization Requirements for Category 2 fires**:
Before you light a Category 2 fire you must first register under Metro Vancouver's Open Burning Emission Regulation Bylaw No. 1355 using the Open Burning Registration System. You will not be able to apply for a Bowen Island Municipality Burn Permit without first registering your property under Bylaw 1355 with Metro Vancouver.
Apply for a Category 2 Burn Permit
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### Category 3 (land clearing or other major burning)
A Category 3 fire is defined as a major, usually machine stacked fire that is larger than 2m high by 3m wide, or more than two piles of less than 2m high by 3m wide that are burning concurrently. A Category 3 fire requires permits, which are only issued between October 15 and April 15. Category 3 burns are not permitted at any other time.
**Metro Vancouver Authorization Requirements for Category 3 fires**:
Anyone lighting a Category 3 fire must first obtain Open Burning Approval under Metro Vancouver's Air Quality Management Bylaw No. 1082. Bowen Island Municipality will not accept a Category 3 Burn Permit application without the Burn Registration Number received from Metro Vancouver.
Apply for a Category 3 Burn Permit
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## Open burning complaints
If you have a safety concern about an open burn on a neighbouring property, you can call Bowen Island Fire-Rescue at 604-947-9324 and leave a message; the number is monitored and messages requiring a response will be answered.
If your concern is about air quality, please make an air quality complaint to Metro Vancouver at
604-436-6777.
### Reference
BIM Fire Protection and Emergency Plan Bylaws
Metro Vancouver Open Vegetative Burning Bylaws
## Frequently Asked Questions?
How do I pay?
Payments can be made by cash, cheque, or debit in person at the Municipal Offices at the Bowen Island Community Centre. E-transfers an be sent to [email protected], be sure to put the address of the property in the e-transfer message field.
DO NOT MAKE A PAYMENT IF THE FIRE CHIEF HAS NOT APPROVED YOUR PERMIT APPLICATION.
Why are Burn Permit authorizations changing?
Metro Vancouver develops and implements plans, policies, regulations, and projects that improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Starting in 2021, they made steps towards this by creating bylaws around both indoor and outdoor burning. Bowen Island Municipality is brining the island's permitting process into compliance.
Who cares about smoke?
Everyone should care about air quality and reducing greenhouse emissions.
People with asthma and other health conditions, including infants with underdeveloped lungs and the elderly are particularly at risk.
Can't BIM opt out of Metro Vancouver's burning bylaws?
No, because the island lies within Metro Vancouver Regional District boundaries.
Is there anything that BIM Council can do instead?
Council can increase burn days under Part 8 of the bylaw.
How do I complain about smoke, odour or air quality?
Metro Vancouver takes air quality complaints seriously. See their website for more information on how to lodge a complaint.
How long will my burning permit be valid for?
A **category two** burn permit is valid from October 15 to April 15 of one burn season. For category three burn permits, contact Metro Vancouver.
How often can I burn?
Depending on if Metro Vancouver's ventilation index permits burning, burning is permitted for up to six days in a month and up to a total of twelve days per year.
What can I burn?
* Branches
* Leaves
* Plants
* Tree trimmings
* Weeds
What items cannot be burned
* Furniture and other finished goods
* Garbage of any kind
* Old buildings, sheds, barns
* Plastics
* Tires, rubber, battery boxes
* Insulation, drywall, tar paper, demolition waste, treated lumber
* Paint
* Fuel, fuel and lubricant containers
* Asphalt, railway ties
* Clothing, leather, shoes
* Domestic waste, biomedical waste
Unsure? Contact the Fire Chief by calling 604-947-9324 or email [email protected]
What are some burning guidelines?
Make the pile wide and long rather than high. This will spread the heat and be safer.
Live power lines require a wide berth. Consider the radiant heat and smoke the burn will generate. Smoke and ash can cause power lines to arc, and the heat will damage the lines.
Stay away from fences and property boundaries. Consider local residents. Maintain a clear area between piles and any other combustible materials.
Try to choose a space with open canopy away from the base of trees. Wait until the piles have been burned or removed before planting.
Who do I have to notify before I burn?
* Your neighbours
* Metro Vancouver
* Bowen Island Fire Rescue
Find out more about Category 2 permit notifications.
Find out more about Category 3 permit notifications.
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Last Updated on 2025-10-06 at 03:53 PM
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