Love your backyard? Here’s how to enjoy it without the smoke
Environment Canterbury media release: 30th October 2025
The weather’s heating up, but that doesn’t mean your fire should! In most parts of Christchurch, lighting your fire pit or brazier for warmth or ambience isn’t allowed.
Under the Canterbury Air Regional Plan, using fire pits, chimineas, and braziers is generally not permitted in urban areas unless you're using them to cook. That’s because the smoke they produce can hang in the air, especially on cool, still nights, potentially affecting your health and your neighbours’ too. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions are more likely to be at risk of harm from smoke.
If fire pits or braziers are being used for cooking, there are still important conditions you need to meet to be compliant.
Find out more about the Canterbury Air Regional Plan.
Why the rules exist
Outdoor burning rules are designed to protect the health of our communities by reducing harmful smoke emissions and maintaining good air quality, particularly in densely populated areas.
“We know fire pits are popular and people really enjoy the atmosphere they create,” our team leader northern compliance, Brian Reeves, said.
“But even small backyard fires release fine particles that linger in the air and impact people’s health, especially in calm weather conditions or built-up areas where the smoke doesn’t disperse easily.”
To help keep our air clean and our communities healthy, the rules allow outdoor burning only on properties that are larger than two hectares. Even then, other conditions must also be met, including not causing nuisance smoke over your property boundary.
Great alternatives for summer BBQs
The good news is, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy your backyard.
If you’re using a pizza oven, cooking a hāngī or umu, or firing up a wood or gas BBQ, you're in the clear, as long as the smoke is not offensive or objectionable beyond your property boundary.
Gas fires or heaters give off warmth and ambiance without the smoke, making them a great option for use in urban backyards.
For those chasing ambience, solar or LED lights are smokeless, safe, and stylish, so you can get the good garden vibes without the smoke.
“This isn’t about cracking down, it’s about helping everyone enjoy their space safely, while caring for our neighbours and the environment,” Brian said.
“We’re encouraging people to check the rules and consider alternatives that work just as well, without the smoke. If you’re not sure what’s allowed, we’re happy to answer any questions.”
Want to check if your fire setup is okay?
Read a quick guide about the Canterbury outdoor burning rules. If you have any questions, please get in touch with our advisory team.
If smoke from backyard burning is causing a nuisance, please report it so we can investigate. You can do this by: