There are no byelaws that prevent garden bonfires being lit or that mean they can only be lit after 6pm.
It is not illegal to have a garden fire and we can only take action on bonfires if the smoke or ash produced from a bonfire causes a statutory nuisance.
Considerations
Bonfires can cause inconvenience and have a negative effect on the environment.
We discourage garden fires in the borough and if you are considering having a bonfire:
- only burn dry material
- never burn rubber, household rubbish or anything which contains plastic, foam or paint
- never use petrol, paraffin, diesel or lighter fluid to start the fire
- avoid burning on very windy days, damp or still weather conditions or when pollution levels are very high
- never leave a bonfire unattended
- discuss with your neighbours before considering lighting a bonfire
Alternatives to bonfires
Instead of having a bonfire:
- most organic refuse can be composted and returned to the soil or chipped and used as mulch
- it is free to dispose of your garden waste at one of Surrey County Council’s waste recycling centres
