Bylaws, Permits & Regulations

Fire Codes and Bylaws | Fireworks | Outdoor Burning

Fire Codes and Bylaws

• Fire Protection Bylaw
• Building Bylaw
• BC Fire Code
• BC Building Code
• Fire Services Act
• BC Safety Authority

Fireworks

New Westminster Fire and Rescue Service reminds residents to stay safe when setting off fireworks and abide by city regulations.

The City of New Westminster's fireworks regulations state that low-hazard fireworks are only able to be possessed from 12:01 am on October 28th to 12:01 am on November 1st. Residents are only permitted to set them off after 4 pm on October 31st until 12:01 am on November 1st.

Low-hazard fireworks are the items people can purchase at stores. No special permit is required to set off low-hazard fireworks however you must discharge them on your own property. We recommend to always enlist a person to be a spotter to ensure the fireworks do not hit or land anywhere that could catch on fire.

Select a safe area on your property for discharging fireworks. Keep them away from buildings, overhead obstructions, trees, vehicles and other flammable objects. Firecrackers and Roman Candles are banned altogether.

No one under 18 years of age is permitted to possess or set off fireworks.

New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services encourages parents to teach children that fireworks are not toys and to tell an adult if they find fireworks.
 

Outdoor Burning

Open burning of yard waste, construction materials or garbage is a potential fire hazard. It also impacts the air quality in our region. New Westminster Fire Protection Bylaw 6940 prohibits the open air burning of any garden refuse, any and all waste material from construction sites or any land clearing materials.

Outdoor Fire Places

A great variety of outdoor fireplaces are for sale at hardware stores and garden centres. Although they are legal to sell, they are illegal to use within the City boundaries. The City’s Bylaw states: “No person shall at any time start, light, ignite or burn, or knowingly permit or cause to be started, lighted, ignited or burn any fire of any kind whatsoever in the open air or in any portable incinerator or other portable appliance or device whatsoever in the open air, except where such fire is contained within a portable appliance or device and is used solely for the cooking and preparation of food and is fuelled by propane, natural gas or charcoal.”