Brush clearance is a legal obligation designed to limit fire risks. In 2025 in Saint-Clément-de-Rivière, as throughout Hérault, the area was particularly ravaged by flames. Fires that were brought under control particularly quickly thanks to significant awareness-raising by the city about the legal obligation to clear brush.
Frequency, perimeter, responsibilities in case of a negligent neighbor: here's what you need to know to be compliant and avoid disputes - and above all - tragedy.
Why brush clearance is a legal obligation
In areas exposed to fire risk, brush clearance is not an option but a regulatory obligation. It aims to limit fire spread around homes, access routes, and buildings by reducing combustible vegetation. Your real estate agent and notary will now inform you whether the property you plan to buy or rent is subject to this obligation. Indeed, it applies to both owner-occupiers and landlords and applies regardless of the property's use (primary residence, secondary residence, or vacant property).
Plan ahead rather than suffer: the right frequency
In practice, it is strongly recommended to clear brush at least twice a year.
Why?
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limited regrowth = faster work and lower costs
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less dense vegetation to cut or remove
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cleaner terrain that is easier to maintain over time
Indeed, cutting alone is not sufficient; the law also requires that green waste be either chipped and spread on site, or removed to a waste facility as a last resort.
Waiting too long results in significant regrowth that is more difficult to manage and often more expensive to have done by a professional.
As for tree trimming, it is generally less frequent. In most cases, occasional maintenance is sufficient, provided that the tree crowns do not promote fire spread to buildings.
The idea is that several trees do not touch each other and are sufficiently spaced from one another and from your home and your neighbor's.
Essential legal points
How far must I clear brush?
The obligation generally applies to 50 meters around buildings (residential home, outbuilding, pool, etc.), as well as to private access roads.
However, this perimeter may vary depending on:
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the municipality
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the land classification
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prefectural or municipal decrees
👉 To know precisely how far you must intervene, an official tool is made available by the State services in Hérault:
Carte interactive OLD de l'Hérault (DDTM34)
This mapping tool allows you to clearly visualize the areas subject to the legal obligation to clear brush.
What if my neighbor doesn't clear brush?
Each property owner is responsible for their own obligation, even if the neighboring land is not maintained.
However:
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you are not required to clear brush on your neighbor's property
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the administration can serve notice on them directly
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in case of persistent failure, the municipality can have the work done at its own expense
If the neighbor's failure to clear brush creates a manifest danger, it is recommended to:
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inform them in writing
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alert the town hall if the situation persists
Must I clear brush on neighboring land if the regulated zone extends onto it
Yes, in one specific case: if the 50-meter perimeter extends onto a neighboring parcel, you must clear brush up to the regulated limit, even if the vegetation is on someone else's property.
In this case:
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you intervene solely to satisfy your legal obligation
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you do not become responsible for the overall maintenance of the neighboring land
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no compensation is owed, unless there is abnormal damage
What are the risks of non-compliance?
Failure to clear brush can result in:
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an administrative fine
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a notice to comply with an imposed deadline
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official execution of the work, billed to the property owner
In case of loss, failure to maintain the property may also have consequences for:
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insurance compensation
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the property owner's civil liability
Alpaca Immobilier's advice
Planning ahead remains the best strategy. Regular maintenance, twice a year, allows you to remain compliant, reduce costs, and avoid neighborhood tensions. On this subject, reach an agreement with your neighbors to have only one landscaping company intervene that may have a larger contract and could thus offer you a better rate! This is also a way to ensure that your property is maintained properly without risk of conflict.
During a sale, poorly cleared land can also become a barrier to the transaction or a point of unfavorable negotiation. It's a seemingly minor detail, but a strong signal for a buyer.
At Alpaca Immobilier, we systematically draw our clients' attention to these obligations in order to avoid unpleasant surprises, before and after the sale. We saw the water bombers far too closely this summer and were able to confirm the effectiveness of complying with this obligation north of Montpellier.
