Bylaws

The provincial Ministry of Environment developed a model bylaw to assist local governments develop their own backyard burning bylaws, which several municipalities have already done. These bylaws can vary from limiting the amount and types of materials that may be burned, limiting the number of days on which burning may take place, to banning the practice altogether.

Before choosing an approach, consider your desired outcome, because different bylaws will have differing results. For example, limiting the number of days on which burning may take place may result in fewer "smoky days" and the approach may reduce the frequency of nuisance incidents. However, the approach may in fact increase the community’s exposure to smoke as everyone burns on the same days, and regardless of weather conditions. If it happens to rain on the only day burning is allowed to take place, then the smoke problem will be compounded as people try to burn wet materials. For more information on backyard burning bylaws, see the Case Studies and Reference Materials list in the Resources Section.