Many people ask whether Garden fires are legal in France. Smoke is often seen in the countryside especially around farms.
REGLEMENT SANITAIRE DÉPARTEMENTAL (DEPARTMENTAL SANITARY REGULATIONS)
Not just in Paris, but in the whole of France, all year round is a ban on outdoor or garden fires. Many believe it is lifted in September, October or November, but this is simply not the case.
The rules do vary slightly from region to region, but essentially outside Paris they are universal.
Art. 84 – Elimination des déchets (Waste disposal)
Translated into English
Le brûlage à l’air libre des ordures ménagères est également interdit.
The open burning of household waste is also prohibited.
La destruction des ordures ménagères et autres déchets à l’aide d’incinérateur individuel ou d’immeuble est interdite.
The destruction of household waste and other waste using individual or building incinerators is prohibited.
Des dérogations à la règle pourront cependant être accordées par le préfet sur proposition de l’autorité sanitaire et après avis du conseil départemental d’hygiène.
However, exemptions to the rule may be granted by the prefect on the proposal of the health authority and after the opinion of the departmental hygiene council.
Ces dérogations ne peuvent être accordées que dans le cas où il n’est pas possible d’utiliser d’autre moyen autorisé pour éliminer les déchets produits par le pétitionnaire.
These derogations can only be granted in the case where it is not possible to use other authorized means to eliminate the waste produced by the petitioner.
Ce type d’élimination ne doit entraîner aucune gêne ou insalubrité pour le voisinage. Les incinérateurs utilisés doivent être conformes à la réglementation en vigueur, notamment en ce qui concerne les caractéristiques de leurs rejets.
This type of disposal must not cause any inconvenience or unhealthiness for the neighbourhood. The incinerators used must comply with the regulations in force, particularly as regards the characteristics of their discharges.
What Does That Ban Mean To Me?
It may be possible to have a fire outside of peak season if you first gain permission from your local Marie. They will probably tell you to visit your local Gendarmerie, Pompiers, farmers and neighbours for permission and report back.
Legally, you cannot have an open fire. The fire must be contained in a compliant incinerator. However, as you will see across France, this rule is often flaunted.
France is very agricultural and forested country that suffers greatly from widespread fires, so you can understand why the incinerator rule is in place.
- Get permission From The Marie – very important! (they will give you advice on who to contact)
- Ask You Neighbours
- Have a plentiful water source close by
- Check the Weather – extremely important
- Do not burn anything toxic, such as a tyre
- Use a compliant incinerator
- All burnt waste must be responsibly and correctly disposed of
- The fumes produced must not disturb any of your neighbours or cross roads
- Toxic, nauseating, or obnoxious fumes would not be tolerated.
Some Marie’s aren’t lenient, others rule with an iron fist. The fine for breaking the ban is €450.
Some land owners such as Farmers, some professions such as tree surgeons etc may gain special permission from the local Marie to have controlled fires under exceptional circumstances. However, even these professional will still take the vast majority of their waste to the déchéterie. They will use wood chippers, and other such specialist disposal equipment.
Areas such as the Nouvelle-Aquitaine would be considered ‘high risk’ most of the year due to the high forestation and climate.