Since 2001, to prevent the risk of fire and its spread, the French Forestry Code has required owners of land located in high-risk areas (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Corsica, Occitanie) to clear undergrowth.
- In rural areas, you are obliged to clear your land of undergrowth if it is less than 200 meters from a wood or forest. This also applies to the area around your home, to a depth of 50 meters. To make it easier for emergency vehicles to reach your property, you must also clear the undergrowth along access roads to a depth of 10 meters on either side of the road.
- In urban areas, you are obliged to clear your land of undergrowth and maintain it in a cleared state if it is less than 200 meters from a wood or forest.
In urban areas, if your neighbor does not comply with these obligations and his land is uncultivated, you can begin by alerting him to the inconvenience caused and the risks involved. If he doesn't react, the next step is to send him a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt to remind him of his obligations. If no action is taken, contact the mayor's office, who will issue a formal notice to carry out maintenance work within a specified timeframe. The mayor may impose a fine of up to €100 per day of delay. The maximum total amount payable is €5,000.