What are the rules about burning waste in a bonfire?
Can you create a bonfire to burn waste in your garden? Do the rules vary from department to department? D.B.
Yes the rules vary but not so much between departments as from commune to commune.
Generally speaking you cannot burn anything in your garden (this will be specified in departmental health and safety regulations), unless there is a local bylaw saying otherwise.
Where it is allowed, it will only relate to ‘green waste’, such as grass cuttings and clippings. The justification for this includes neighbour nuisance, air pollution from smoke and, importantly, the risk of spreading fire.
In general communes only make an exception to the ban if they do not have a council tip where green waste can be taken or do not offer specific bins for such waste collection AND there is a legal obligation on property owners to undertake débroussaillage (the clearing of scrub land for 50m round houses and 10m from roads) and/or the area is covered by a PPRiF (prevention plan for forest fire risks).
Where it is not allowed you should use one of the alternatives or compost it.
See your mairie’s website (or call them) to find out the specific rules for your commune (in Paris you should contact the mairie d’arrondissement).
Ignoring the ban could lead to a fine of up to €450 but offenders could face much more serious action if any damage is caused or a brush fire is started.
It is worth pointing out that barbecuing may also be subject to limitations, though there is no generalised ban and it is not considered neighbour nuisance if it is occasional.
However it may also give rise to concerns about forest fires. There may be clauses banning it in the rules of your residence if you live in a copropriété building, or in a rental contract if you are a tenant and, in some areas, there may be bylaws banning it at certain times of year or at set times of the day. In some cases it only relates to traditional charcoal barbecues and not ones which run on gas or electricity.
