Matt P
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6 Sep 2026Purchased the retreat outdoor umbrella, had no isuues the quality is nothing but awesome would definitely recommend this product and my Acare was very easy to work with
Are backyard fires legal in NSW?
Are backyard fires legal in NSW? Yes, for most homes. You don't need approval for fire pits or barbeques, provided you burn the right fuel and no total fire ban is in place. The real limits sit in the detail below.
Environmental Protection Authority and Rural Fire Service Regulations
Two bodies set the rules for backyard fires in NSW. The EPA controls what you can burn and how much smoke you can make. The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) controls when fires can be lit at all.
The good news is that NSW residents need no approval to use a fire pit or barbeque at home. It's the fuel, the smoke and the fire danger rating that decide whether tonight's fire is legal.
Clean Air Requirements and Acceptable Fuels
The EPA's open burning rules come down to smoke. Anything that causes excessive smoke isn't permitted, and your council can act on complaints about it.
Approved fuels are dry seasoned wood, LPG, natural gas or barbecue fuel. Treated or painted timber, plastic and rubbish are banned, no matter how small the fire. They give off toxic smoke.
Wet or green wood isn't named on the banned list, but it smokes heavily and can tip you into trouble. Stick to wood that's been split and dried properly. The full guidance is on the NSW EPA's open burning page.
Total Fire Bans and the Bush Fire Danger Period
On a total fire ban day, solid fuel fires can't be lit. That covers wood, charcoal and heat beads, so a wood fire pit stays cold. Gas, LPG and electric appliances are generally still permitted under conditions.
The RFS also declares a Bush Fire Danger Period each year, when extra restrictions apply to burning off. Check the NSW RFS website for your district's current status before lighting anything.
How big can a fire be without a permit?
There's no single size figure that covers all of NSW. A contained fire pit or barbeque used for cooking or warmth needs no permit at all.
Once you're burning piles of vegetation, or anything beyond a recreational fire, you're into permit territory. Check with your council and the NSW RFS before scaling up, and get the answer in writing.
Hazard Reduction and Property Clearing Restrictions
Burning garden waste or rubbish in the open is prohibited in most NSW council areas, unless your council specifically allows it. Hazard reduction burns to clear vegetation sit under separate rules and need the right approvals first.
If you're clearing a block or reducing fuel loads, talk to your council and the RFS before you strike a match. Rules shift with the season and your location.
Can I burn off in my backyard in NSW?
In most council areas, no. Open burning of garden waste is banned unless your council has specifically allowed it, and burning household rubbish isn't permitted.
If you've got green waste to move, use your council's green bin or drop-off service instead. A recreational fire in a fire pit is a different thing entirely, and that stays legal.
Local Council By-laws and Practical Outdoor Setup
On top of the state rules, your council handles the day-to-day complaints. Excessive smoke is the trigger. Councils can issue smoke abatement notices, and those notices are enforceable. A fire that's legal on paper can still be shut down if it's smoking out the street.
Setup matters too. Stand your fire pit on paving, concrete or a fire mat, never on timber decking or dry lawn. If a deck is your only option, read our guide on putting a fire pit on a deck before you commit.
Managing Smoke Drift and Neighbour Complaints
Smoke drift causes most backyard fire disputes. Watch the wind before you light up, because fog, fences and trees can push smoke straight into the house next door.
Burn only dry seasoned wood, keep the fire modest, and put it out if smoke is heading into a neighbour's place. A heads-up over the fence before a fire night goes a long way.
In tighter suburbs, a smokeless fire pit or a gas model cuts the problem right down.
Selecting a Compliant Heating Option
Your fuel choice decides how often you can actually use the thing. Gas and LPG models produce next to no smoke and are generally still permitted on total fire ban days, under conditions. Wood models give you real flames and crackle, but they sit under the solid fuel rules and stop when a ban is declared.
What are the different types of outdoor fire pits?
Cast iron pits hold heat well and last for decades, though they're heavy to shift. Steel pits cost less but can rust over time, while stainless steel resists rust at a higher price.
Gas fire tables and bowls burn clean and suit paved entertaining areas. Built-in brick or stone pits are permanent, so check your council's placement rules before laying a single course.
Is a chiminea better than a fire pit?
A chiminea contains the fire and sends smoke up through its chimney, which suits small courtyards. A fire pit throws heat in every direction and seats more people around it. Both burn solid fuel, so both stop on total fire ban days.
For most NSW backyards, the fire pit is the more sociable pick. A chiminea wins where space is tight.
Once you know your council's rules, the rest is picking something built to last. Browse the My Acre range of fire pits for wood and gas models suited to Australian backyards. Each one stands up to years of use outdoors.
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