Bonfires and smoke pollution

Garden bonfires

There are no laws preventing you from having a bonfire, as long as it does not cause a statutory nuisance to other people.

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 a bonfire could be causing a statutory nuisance if it occurs regularly and prevents someone enjoying their garden or opening windows.

If a large fire produces lots of smoke, or is left to burn for a long period, it may still be considered a statutory nuisance, even if it is a one-off.

Alternatives to bonfires

Bonfire smoke contributes to air pollution, and can affect the health of people with breathing or heart conditions.

There are plenty of other ways you can dispose of your green garden waste instead of having a bonfire, including:

making your own compost at home
signing up for our garden waste collection service, or buying some garden waste sacks - we'll take it away for you and make it into compost; find out more: garden waste collections
taking it to your local tip - for them to compost

How to reduce the smoke pollution caused by bonfires

If you must have a bonfire, you can reduce the impact it will have on local air quality and those around you by doing the following:

let your neighbours know you are planning on having a bonfire, so they can close their windows or bring in their washing
try to avoid having a bonfire when people are more likely to be out enjoying their gardens, such as weekends and bank holidays
only burn dry materials
never use old engine oil, methylated spirits or petrol to light or encourage the fire
never burn items which may produce toxic fumes

Bonfires on the beach

For guidance regarding bonfires on the beach please see:

Barbecues

Commercial bonfires

We can take action if any smoke produced by a trade or industrial premises, construction or demolition site causes a statutory nuisance, as defined by the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This can lead to a fine of up to £20,000.

If 'dark smoke' (as defined by the Clean Air Act 1993) is produced by a bonfire on an industrial or commercial premises it is an immediate offence. This also applies to building sites.

Using solid fuel appliances

The smoke that open fires and wood burning stoves produce can pollute the air and affect everyone's health, particularly people who have respiratory conditions.

The leaflet below details some easy ways you can help reduce the environmental and health impacts of burning solid fuels, including choosing cleaner fuels and regularly maintaining your appliance:

Open fires and wood-burning stoves - a practical guide - DEFRA leaflet (218KB)

Further information and advice on burning wood and coal can also be found on the:

Clean Burn Sussex website

There are no smoke control areas in Adur and Worthing.

All new wood heating systems must comply with building regulations, and so they must be installed by an accredited supplier:

A list of approved suppliers can be found on the HETAS website
You can also get advice regarding safe installation from our Building Control department

Make a complaint about a bonfire or smoke

If smoke from a neighbouring property is regularly affecting you, we recommend speaking to them about it first. They may be unaware it is causing you a problem.

If you are not able to resolve the matter yourself the Public Health & Regulation team can investigate complaints under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

You can make a complaint or enquiry to us via our online portal below. When doing so please give us as much info as possible, such as:

the name of the person(s) or the company/business involved, if known
the address or location of the problem
the frequency or dates (eg daily, weekly, etc)
the approximate times, and how long it lasts each time
size of bonfire (eg in a small bin sized incinerator, or a large open pile of items)
what is being burnt (eg garden plant waste, household rubbish, car tyres, etc)
wind direction (eg is smoke heading into, or away from, your garden/building)

You can make a complaint or enquiry to us via our online portal:

After clicking the link you will need to register in order to submit a complaint or enquiry.
Once registered please click on 'Requests' - then 'Submit a Request Complaint'.
When entering complaint details please choose 'Environmental Protection' under 'Request Subject'.

Make a complaint or enquiry