Clearing vegetation around your property and the surrounding area is mandatory

Updated on 04/14/2026

The major fires of 2022 remind us of the importance of the risk of forest and vegetation fires. Climate change is intensifying this risk: the fire season is lengthening, and the danger is gradually spreading to new regions. To prevent this danger, clearing vegetation from your property and the areas around your home is the best protection for you, your belongings, and the surrounding nature. Clearing vegetation is the safety belt for your home against fires: it limits their spread and facilitates firefighters' intervention. By clearing vegetation on your property, you are therefore investing in your safety. That is why it is a legal obligation across our territory, which is classified as high-risk.

What does clearing vegetation mean?

Clearing vegetation aims to reduce the amount of plant material within a zone of 50 meters (or 100 meters - to be adapted to the local context) around your buildings or other equipment. This is neither a complete clear-cut nor a deforestation. Reducing this biomass helps lower fire intensity and limits fire spread. Initial clearing work often includes pruning and may require felling certain trees. Once the initial clearing is completed, subsequent clearing mainly involves maintenance and removal of scrub vegetation.

Who is concerned?

You are subject to this obligation if you own buildings or facilities located within 200 meters of woods, forests, heaths, maquis, or garrigues. You are also subject to it if you own a buildable plot in the aforementioned areas. Furthermore, carrying out scrub clearance may require intervention on your neighbors' properties, as the responsibility for scrub clearance lies with the owner of the building to be protected. You must therefore request your neighbors' authorization to access their land and carry out scrub clearance operations. If they oppose this, the work will be at their expense and falls under their responsibility (administrative and criminal). The mayor is responsible for monitoring compliance with this obligation, and sworn officers, including those from the National Forest Office (ONF), are authorized to issue fines.

To find out whether you are subject to the legal requirement for scrub clearance, you can contact your town hall, the prefecture, or visit [feux-foret.gouv.fr](https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/feux-foret-et-vegetation "Visit the https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/feux-foret-et-vegetation website - new window), where you will find all the useful information.

For more information, read the article ["OLDs, a legal obligation that protects us"](https://www.gironde.gouv.fr/Actions-de-l-Etat/Agriculture-viticulture-foret/Foret/Les-Obligations-Legales-de-Debroussaillement-OLD "Visit the https://www.gironde.gouv.fr/Actions-de-l-Etat/Agriculture-viticulture-foret/Foret/Les-Obligations-Legales-de-Debroussaillement-OLD website - new window")