Find out if you can apply for a backyard burning permit, how to get a permit, and permit conditions. You can also discover some alternatives to burning, and what you can burn without a permit.

Considering a fuel reduction burn outside?

If you want to burn outdoors outside the fire danger season, you’ll need to give us a call on 1300 133 466. We’ll tell you if you can get a permit from us.

You could face fines if you don’t follow the EPA policy and guidelines.

Read the EPA guidelines to burning in the open

How to apply for a permit to burn outside

From mid May, anyone who lives in our high fire risk areas can apply for a permit to burn green waste material. This reduces fuel and hazards to get ready for next fire season.

You’ll need a permit before you start hazard reduction burning.

Fill out the burn in the open permit

Guidelines for getting a permit

To apply for an exemption permit to burn from us:

• You need to live in our high fire risk area
• You’re ready to comply with its conditions
• Your burn reduces fuel and hazards
• Material is hard to access and remove, eg down in a gully or inaccessible by car and trailer
• Material is dry and seasoned (no rubbish)

These permits:

• May need an inspection before we issue them
• Are issued at our discretion by Council's Authorised officer
• Can’t be used during a total fire ban
• Aren’t valid during the fire danger season (as declared by the Country Fire Service)
• Are only issued when you can’t get rid of of the green waste any other way
• Should be kept on your property in case the CFS or our officers need to inspect it
• You must adhere to all conditions of the permit.

The CFS has a vegetation pile burning code of practice to assist in the practice of safe vegetation pile burning outside of the fire danger season.

Alternatives to burning

Here are some ways you can get rid of green waste without burning:

• Try a compost heap.  They take up about two square metres and are clean and odourless
• You can put your green waste in your green waste bin
• Chipping and mulching
• Every year before fire danger season, we provide a free green waste drop off service

Burning in the open without a permit

You can burn outdoors without a permit:

• If you’re preparing food, beverages and potable liquids and:
  • You contain the fire in a fireplace, portable appliance or a trench at least 30cm deep
  • There are no flammable materials within 4m around or above the fire
  • The fire is a maximum of 1m2
  • You stay by the fire to control it until it’s completely extinguished
  • You have an appropriate extinguisher
• If you use a fireplace or combustion heaters. You can find more information on the Environment Protection Authority website.
• Please note that only charcoal is allowed to be burnt for comfort fires within the metropolitan area.
• If you’re using charcoal in a brazier, chiminea, or outdoor fireplace for heating. You can’t burn wood in a kettle (Weber) for heating.

For more information

If you have any questions about backyard burning, get in touch with the Bushfire Prevention Department by calling 1300 133 466.