Undergrowth clearance rules now in place across Var

Mandatory undergrowth clearance rules are now in place across most of the Var department, following the enforcement of a new decree.

With the exception of a few urban or natural areas, property owners, businesses and local authorities must carry out débroussaillement to reduce the risk of forest fires. 

It comes after several major blazes have impacted the area in recent years. 

“It's the best life insurance, and the best property insurance for an individual,” said Var prefect Simon Babre yesterday, as he took part in roadside clearance to promote the new regulations.

Major fires in the department in 2021 around Gonfaron saw the majority of homes left unscathed thanks to undergrowth regulations, which meant blazes did not spread to residences. 

Around 90% of homes impacted by forest fires in France have not had surrounding undergrowth cleared sufficiently, according to authorities.

While these undergrowth rules are in place across many areas in the south of France, not all communes are covered. Earlier this year, authorities in Hérault extended the regulations to cover most of the department.

What changes for residents? 

The decree, signed September 26, enforces the obligations legales de débroussaillement (OLD) over most of the department. 

The regulations are permanent meaning clearance must be undertaken annually, usually in the autumn and early spring.

The OLD rules require homeowners to clear undergrowth at a 50-metre radius around all buildings on their property, as well as on roads and footpaths leading up to it. 

In some cases, this is extended potentially up to 100 metres.

If this radius spills over into neighbouring plots, you are still responsible. 

The full rules can be found in our article here. 

Specifically, rules also require roads to be cleared of undergrowth, due to the recent rise in blazes started roadside. However, this mostly applies to local authorities required to clear larger roads, with homeowners responsible for nearby paths to their property.

Almost all communes in the department are covered by the rules, as shown in the prefectoral map below. 

For those outside of Var, this official interactive map shows communes where the rules apply.

Specific regulations in Var allow for protection of certain trees and patches of vegetation, with the aim of maintaining biodiversity. The aim is to preserve ecosystems for species such as the Hermann’s tortoise found in the department. 

This means that in some areas, homeowners are asked to limit their activities at certain times of year (or to carry them out earlier than usual, for example during the hibernation season), or to leave specific areas intact. 

A pamphlet showing vegetation that remains unaffected is available here from the department. 

You can find the full decree and additional questions on the matter here. If you are still in doubt, ask your mairie if any restrictions apply.

Homeowners who fail to comply with the rules risk fines of up to €1,500, and if their failure to clear undergrowth is deemed responsible for a forest fire spreading, face criminal liability.