Housing and property · Fire prevention · mandatory brush clearing
Mandatory brush clearing in France: duties and access
Mandatory French brush clearing depends on territory, zoning, buildings and applicable orders. Within article L134-6, building surroundings generally require 50 m, which the mayor may increase to 100 m. Proximity within 200 m of woodland is not a universal work radius. Where the area extends onto neighbouring land, responsibility for works and permission to enter are separate matters requiring evidence.
- Official texts cited
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- Drafted with AI assistance, our method
General legal information with official references and dated checks. It is not personalised advice: for a decision that commits you, have your situation checked by a qualified professional.
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Must 200 m always be cleared?
No. It concerns proximity; the work area depends on the statutory and local case.
Read the referencesLet’s check local rules, the work area and access before work begins.
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Which rules determine the local duty?
Identify municipality, exposed territory, zoning, risk plan and prefectural order. Check the scope of L134-1 and L133-1. A vegetation map or the presence of trees alone does not establish your duty.
Code forestier L134-1Code forestier L133-1Code forestier, article L134-5
What should be checked before work?
| Check | Document |
|---|---|
| Territorial scope | Orders and zoning |
| Area | Building and parcel plan |
| Neighbour access | Dated request and permission |
Code forestier, article L134-6Code forestier, article L134-8Code forestier, article R131-14
What does the governing text say about mandatory brush clearing?
pour les terrains situés à moins de 200 mètres des bois et forêts
In plain English: L134-6 defines different work-area cases; R131-14 governs notice and permission on neighbouring land.
How do the 50 m, 100 m and 200 m figures differ?
In the L134-6 case, land within 200 m of woodland falls within the relevant scope. Building surroundings require 50 m, which the mayor may increase to 100 m. Other cases, including urban zoning, may concern the entire parcel.
Who bears works extending onto neighbouring land?
In the stated case, the building owner bears the protective duty even beyond their boundary. Overlapping duties can change execution under L131-13. The owner of the land being cleared is therefore not necessarily the person initially responsible.
Code forestier, article L134-8Code forestier, article L131-12Code forestier, article L131-13
Which local checks are missing from your file?
The worksheet prepares plans and requests without deriving an area from an address alone.
Fictional example · Your preparation worksheet
Without territorial classification, zoning and the applicable order, no definitive area or local date can be established.
- Local check
- Municipality and prefectural order to add
- Ask the town hall for classification, zoning, risk plan, prefectural order and relevant municipal decision.
- Plot the building, access, woodland and property boundaries.
- Identify who bears the duty and any overlapping obligations.
- For neighbouring land, keep the notice, permission request and response; do not enter without authority.
200 m is a trigger-distance in the stated regime, not a universal clearing radius. No nationwide seasonal date is assumed.
How should neighbour access be requested?
Give date-certain notice, request permission and explain that without authorisation within one month the duty passes to the neighbour. Inform the mayor if permission is missing. Permission lasts three years and is revocable with date-certain notice; silence is not permission to enter.
Code forestier, article R131-14Code forestier, article L131-12
Does brush clearing mean removing all vegetation?
It reduces fuel continuity and may include pruning and removing cut material. Prefectural specifications and wildlife and flora protections still apply. This worksheet establishes no burning permission or single nationwide deadline.
What else should you know about mandatory brush clearing?
Must 200 m always be cleared?
No. It concerns proximity; the work area depends on the statutory and local case.
Does private access always require 10 m each side?
The prefect sets the depth within a 10 m maximum for this case; check the order.
Does a neighbour’s silence authorise entry?
No. Follow the notice procedure and inform the mayor if permission is absent.
Is a nationwide date sufficient to schedule works?
No. Check local specifications and constraints affecting the works.
Code forestier, article L131-10Code forestier, article L134-6
Which sources explain mandatory brush clearing?
- Code forestier, article L131-10Légifrance / DILA
- Code forestier, article L131-12Légifrance / DILA
- Code forestier, article L131-13Légifrance / DILA
- Code forestier, article L134-5Légifrance / DILA
- Code forestier, article L134-6Légifrance / DILA
- Code forestier, article L134-7Légifrance / DILA
- Code forestier, article L134-8Légifrance / DILA
- Code forestier, article R131-14Légifrance / DILA
- Code forestier L134-1Légifrance / DILA
- Code forestier L133-1Légifrance / DILA
Texts cited last checked: 19 October 2026