Am I allowed to have a campfire or fire bowl in the garden?
As a cosy fire yes, for burning waste no. A bought fire bowl or fire basket with dry, seasoned firewood is usually allowed in your own garden — as a "warmth or cosiness fire", as long as the diameter is under about 1 metre and no neighbours are bothered by smoke. Burning garden waste (leaves, branches, clippings), however, is banned under §28 of the recycling act where other disposal is possible. A larger open campfire often needs a permit.
📋 The rules
- A fire bowl/basket with dry firewood as a cosiness fire is usually allowed
- Diameter under about 1 metre — then not a permit-required installation
- No garden waste (leaves, clippings, branches) burning (§28 recycling act)
- No treated wood, rubbish, paper or fire accelerants
- Keep enough distance from buildings, hedges and boundaries; avoid flying sparks
- Open campfire or custom fire: often notifiable or permit-required
🔓 Exceptions
- Small fire bowls/baskets are not permit-required installations under emission law
- Notified custom fires (e.g. Easter/Martin's fires) with the municipality's permit
- Some municipalities ban open fire in gardens entirely — check the local bylaw
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Burning garden waste or rubbish, or making an open fire without a required permit, is an administrative offence: by state up to €5,000. If a fire spreads to vegetation or buildings, negligent arson (a crime) plus full liability for the damage are added.
📎 Official sources
- Bußgeldkatalog · making an illegal fire →
- Federal Environment Agency · campfires & fire bowls →
- § 28 recycling act (KrWG) →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I use a fire bowl in the garden?
Usually yes, if you only burn dry, untreated firewood, the bowl is under about a metre across and you use it as a warmth or cosiness fire. Neighbours must not be seriously bothered by smoke.
Can I burn garden waste?
No, where other disposal is possible — and via the bio-bin and recycling centre it almost always is. Burning leaves, clippings and branches breaches §28 of the recycling act and can draw a fine.
What does an illegal garden fire cost?
By state, up to €5,000. If the fire spreads and causes a blaze, criminal proceedings for negligent arson and full liability for the damage are added.
Do I need a permit for a campfire?
For a small fire bowl usually not. A larger open campfire or custom fire is often notifiable or permit-required. Some municipalities ban open fire in gardens entirely — check the local bylaw.
What should I watch with the firewood?
Use only dry, seasoned, untreated wood. Treated wood, rubbish, paper and accelerants are off-limits — they create pollutants and are banned.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “fire bowl garden allowed germany”
- “campfire garden permit”
- “burning garden waste banned”
- “fine open fire garden”
- “fire basket diameter rule”
- “custom fire register”