Backyard Burning Off
Backyard Burning Off

Backyard Burning Off

Backyard Burning Off

Reporting the burning of leaf litter, rubbish or refuse on the ground.
Last updated on: 14 June 2024
In this article

Information

The City of Canning does not permit backyard burning, unless it is vegetation and the person has prior written approval of the City's Community Safety Team.

Urgent requests

  • If there is fire/smoke due to backyard burning off, please report it to the City by calling 1300 4 CANNING (1300 422 664). You can call this number 24-hours a day for urgent/high priority assistance.
  • This will allow an Officer to respond with the highest priority.

Local Laws

  • Burning off of rubbish, refuse or vegetation is an offence under the City's Local Laws, penalties range from a $250 on the spot fine to $5000 (Clause 4.1 of Animals, Nuisance and Environment Local Law 2021).
  • The Local Laws allow for an owner or occupier of land, to apply to the City for approval to burn vegetation.

Causing smoke nuisance

Burning off, either on the ground or in an incinerator, causes smoke and ash which:
  • Can cause a nuisance to neighbours and other members of the community, such as cause difficulty breathing, particularly for those with asthma.
  • Pollutes the atmosphere, and reduces air quality.
  • Increases the risk of fire, by accidental spread.

Alternatives to burning off

An easy alternative to burning off is using the City's green waste collection service. The City of Canning conducts two verge side collections for bulk household waste and two collections for bulk garden organics per year. For more information please visit our bulk verge collection page.

Exemption Application Process

Discretionary provisions within the City's Local Laws allows for a person to apply in writing to the City for an approval to burn vegetation for the purpose of reducing fuel loads. An application for exemption must include the following:-
  • a statement outlining the reasons why an exemption is sought;
  • a site plan showing lot size, location of stockpile to be burnt, amount of vegetation to be burnt and the distance of the proposed burn from any boundaries and buildings on adjoining lots;
  • how the fire will be managed on site, including proposed start and finish times;
  • how the fire will be extinguished if required, and access to water provided; and
  • application forms can be downloaded from the Fire and Fire Prevention page of the website.
  • an application fee of $66.00 is payable.
The City may give notice seeking comment, from adjoining neighbours, in relation to the application. For further information, please contact the City's Community Safety Team on 1300 422 664.