Getting a Burn Permit in Alicante - It's Not Tricky When You Know How!

If you live in the Spanish countryside (campo), you can burn your garden, landscaping, and agricultural waste only if you possess a valid burn permit (permiso or comunicación de quema) and it is the designated burn season. Burning is heavily regulated or banned during high-risk wildfire seasons - typically from June 1 to October 15, though exact dates vary by region. Strict rules must be followed and those not complying may be subject to heft fines.

The Alicante Province falls under the administrative authority of the Comunidad Valenciana, an autonomous region of Spain. To obtain an agricultural burn permit in the Alicante Province, you must apply through your local Town Hall (Ayuntamiento) or through the Valencian regional government (Generalitat Valenciana), depending on how close your plot is to a forest zone and whether your municipality has an approved burn plan (Plan Local de Quemas) to directly manage and oversee day-to-day burn applications submitted by local residents. [Source]

How can I obtain a burn permit?

Obtaining a burn permit is relatively straight forward. Follow these easy steps:

Step 1: Determine Local Authority and Required Document

Search your local Town Hall to determine whether they have the authority to administer burn applications and which document they require you to submit.

Click here to find out which municipalities have an approved local burn plan in Comunidad Valenciana.

As a rule of thumb in Comunidad Valenciana, if your plot is more than 500 meters from a forest zone, you generally submit a simpler Prior Communication / Local Application (Comunicación de Quema / Solicitud de Autorización) to your local Town Hall. If your plot is less than 500 meters from a forest zone, you must submit a Responsible Declaration (Declaración Responsable) or formal request tied directly to the regional Generalitat Valenciana (GVA) Fire Prevention procedures.

Step 2: Gather Required Information

When filling out either application, you will need to provide the following information to complete the form:

• Personal Details: full name, DNI/NIE (identity card), physical address, phone number, and email address of the property owner(s).

• Land Registration Data: your property's 20-digit Catastral Reference (Referencia Catastral), the Polígono number, Parcela (parcel/plot number), and the name of the Partida (rural district).

• Owner Authorization: If you are renting or managing the land for someone else, you must include a signed authorization form from the actual property owner.

Some Town Halls require an estimated range of dates you want to execute the burn, with a maximum validity of 30 natural days per permit.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

There are two methods to submit your application.

Option A: Digital Submission (Fastest)

If you have a Spanish digital certificate or Cl@ve system, log onto your local Town Hall's website (e.g., Alicante, Elche, Crevillent) or the GVA portal. Search for "Quemas Agrícolas" or "Plan Local de Quemas", fill out the online form, and download your receipt.

Option B: In-Person Submission

Go to your local town hall's citizen registry office (Registro General / PROP office) or your regional Comarcal Agricultural Office (OCA). Bring a printed copy of the filled application form and your ID.

If you do not have a physical DNI/NIE card, you may have to go to the Town Hall to register in person to show your passport.

Permits are normally issued that day, but some jurisdictions require submitting your paperwork at least 7 to 10 days before your planned burn day. In many areas near forest lands, you must apply at least 30 days before the planned burn date. Please check your Town Hall's website for all application requirements and timelines.

What do I need to do once I have my burn permit?

Having the approved paperwork does not automatically mean you can light a fire. On the day(s) you intend to burn, you must complete these safety checks:

Check the Fire Risk Level: Open the 112 Comunitat Valenciana portal or download their "Preemergencia IF Comunitat Valenciana" app. Burning is only legal on Level 1 (Green/Low-Medium risk) days. If it is designated Level 2 or Level 3, your permit is instantly suspended for the day.

Check the Wind: If winds pick up significantly, you must extinguish the fire immediately, even on Level 1 days.

Keep Proof on Hand: Keep a physical printout or a digital PDF copy of your approved permit and your ID with you at all times on the plot. Environment agents (Agentes Medioambientales) or the police routinely patrol rural areas and will fine anyone burning without physical proof of their authorization

If you would like to learn more about the rules to burn your garden, landscaping, and agricultural waste, read our post: What to Know Before You Light Biomass (Green) Waste.

Contact us if you need help understanding the rules or need assistance applying for a burn permit.

Stay safe and burn responsibly!