Contents
- New BOP Regional Council Bylaw Bans Fires Near a Neighbouring Dwelling
- Current Fire Season
- Authorised Fire Types
- All-Year Restrictions
- Fire Risks and FENZ
- Unkempt Sections/Hoarding/Vermin
The New BOP Regional Council Bylaw Bans Fires Near a Neighbouring Dwelling
A new BOP Regional Council bylaw has been confirmed in the Environment Court and applies throughout the entire year, regardless of the fire season at the time. There can now be no fires, urban or rural, within 100 metres of a neighbouring dwelling. The only standard exceptions to this ban are the cultural and recreational fires listed below as Authorised Fire Types.
Infringements of this bylaw can incur a fine of up to $300.
Rural production landowners can apply for a resource consent to burn vegetation within 100 metres of another dwelling. Such applications will be decided on a case-by-case basis. Fire permits issued by FENZ (Fire and Emergency NZ) are different from resource consents, and in some cases both will be needed by rural landowners.
Open Fire Season - now in place
An Open fire season is now in place across the Eastern Bay of Plenty Region.
Visit the Fire Permits page to apply for a permit and for advice on backyard fires.
Authorised Fire Types
The following Approved Fire Types do not require a permit during Restricted or Prohibited Fires Seasons, provided that your fire meets the conditions that apply in each case, and are exemptions under the BOPRC Fires Bylaw. The conditions can be found on the CheckItsAlright website (use the links at the bottom of the page you land on).
- Gas or charcoal BBQ’s,
- Cultural fires,
- Braziers or Chiminea
- Wood-fired pizza ovens.
All-Year Restrictions
There are some locations where fires remain prohibited or restricted all year round.
- Prohibited – Mauo/Papamoa (365 days)
- Restricted – Matakana Island (365 days)
- Restricted – Department of Conservation Land (365 days)
Fires within the urban boundaries must still comply with City/District Council and Regional Council requirements/bylaws.
From July 2020, nearly all fires, urban or rural, must comply with the new BOP Regional Council bylaw banning nearly all first within 100 metres of neighbouring dwellings. The only routine exceptions are cultural and recreational fires.
For further information, visit the Check it’s alright before you light website, or phone 0800 658 628
Fire Risks including overgrown Sections
As from 1st July 2018 Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) will now deal with Fire Risks. This includes overgrown sections. If your concern is a Fire Risk, you can let Fire and Emergency New Zealand know about your concern by calling 0800 336 942 or email to firehazards@fireandemergency.nz
Unkempt Sections/Hoarding/Vermin
If there's a property in your neighbourhood that you believe is a Health or Safety hazard due to an unkempt section, you might first try talking to the property owner.
If this does not resolve the problem, contact Council 07 306 9009 to report a concern that does not present a fire risk, such as a hoarding, and other nuisance issues including vermin control.