CFA declares the Fire Danger Period for Frankston City in the lead up to the fire season which is generally the end of November each year. It depends on the amount of rain, grassland curing rate and other local conditions
Open air burning during the Fire Danger Period is governed by the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 and is enforced by Victoria Police.
Visit the CFA website for information on what fires are allowed during the Fire Danger Period.
If you believe someone is burning off illegally during the Fire Danger Period report this to Triple Zero (000).
The CFA declare the Fire Danger Period when the conditions in the municipal area are such that the risk of fire is increased.
Frankston City is located within the Central Fire District, there are no restrictions currently in force for Central however please note open air burning local laws are in place all year.
Visit the CFA website for information on what fires are allowed during the Fire Danger Period.
The Fire Danger Period for the 2025-2026 fire season ended on the 6th of April 2026. Applications for Permits to burn are now open.
A person who breaches the Local Law by lighting a fire in open air without a permit can face on-the-spot or other penalties.
Applying for a Permit to Burn
Apply for a Permit to Burn online for quick and easy processing. Burning is not permitted until you have possession of your Permit via email or regular mail depending on your selected preference. All permit conditions must be followed, including safety requirements and any restrictions on weather conditions.
Please note that Permit to Burn application fees are non-refundable even if the permit application is rejected. Please make sure you read the below eligibility conditions and consult Frankston City Council on 1300 322 322 if you are unclear about any of the restrictions.
When can you use your burn permit?
A Permit to Burn issued by Frankston City Council under Community Local Law 2020, will automatically expire at the onset of the Fire Danger Period or the 30th of November each year, whichever is earliest.
It is your responsibility as the permit holder to check the CFA Website each time before you commence burning to ensure the Fire Danger Period has not yet been declared. Visit the CFA website to check on the Fire Danger Period. A Permit to Burn issued under the Local Law does not allow you to burn off during the Fire Danger Period. You must comply with the CFA restrictions during the Fire Danger Period. Failure to do so may result in significant penalties and enforcement by Victoria Police
To check your eligibility and apply for a residential or commercial permit to burn access the following:
Eligibility and permit conditions
Burning off is not permitted on properties less than 1600 square meters in total land size. Residents of properties less than 1600 square metres should take advantage of other green waste disposal options including the Frankston Regional Recycling and Recovery Centre or the Green Waste Bin service.
Some fires are allowed on all land types and sizes if conducted safely. These include:
- A barbecue, pizza oven or other properly constructed appliance while it is being used for cooking food
- A fire in a brazier or chimenea while it is being used for heating however only clean, dry, and untreated wood is permitted to be burnt.
- A tool of trade while being used for the purpose for which it was designed
- A fire lit during the course of duty by a member of a fire and emergency services agency
You should always look for alternatives to burning off to reduce the smoke impact to your neighbours. Even if burning off is legal, please consider the needs of others to ensure any impact from your fire is minimised. An authorised officer may request for the fire to be extinguished if it is deemed to be a health or safety risk.
Property eligibility
Properties over 1600 square metres in total land size - Residents that need to burn off to reduce excess fire fuel may apply for a Permit to Burn if the property is covered by the Bushfire Prone Area (BPA) or the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO). To find out if your property is covered by the BPA or the BMO check the Planning Report Tool of the Planning Victoria website at Planning Victoria - Planning Report Search.
Properties greater than 20,000 square metres in total land size also require a Permit to burn.
Commercial permits to burn are required for any commercial land or property where there is no residential dwelling such as golf courses, schools, or sporting clubs.
Permit to Burn applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. A Council officer undertakes a risk assessment of the applicant’s property prior to issuing the permit. Some factors considered are the size of the land, the ability of the landowner to remove the vegetation via more appropriate methods, the proximity to other landowners and the risk of smoke nuisance, the potential for the fire to spread and fire suppression equipment at the location.
Permits are subject to general conditions and those specific to the local law(PDF, 1MB). The permit holder must make themselves aware of all permit conditions, as a breach of any condition may result in the Permit being revoked and infringements issued. An authorised officer can request for any fire to be extinguished if it is deemed to be a health or safety risk even where a Permit has been issued.
General Conditions
- the Permit must be in the physical possession of the person performing the burn-off.
- the fire must be supervised by an adult present at all times, who is physically capable of containing and extinguishing the fire.
- sufficient fire suppression equipment must be available to extinguish the fire if required, including at a minimum a hose attached to a water supply (either tank or mains) or a vessel containing at least ten litres of water is available at the site of the fire at all times that the fire is alight;
- the vegetation to be burnt must be dead and dry prior to lighting it;
- at the site of the fire, the wind speed must not exceed 20 kilometres per hour, or the shade temperature must not exceed 32 degrees; and
- the fire can be lit or allowed to remain alight only on a Friday or Saturday and not before 9am or after 4pm.
- A suitable fire break must be prepared around the perimeter of the area being burned that is not less than 3 metres wide and cleared of all flammable materials;
- Permit holders must register their burn before lighting with Triple Zero Victoria to avoid unnecessary fire brigade response by calling 1800 668 511 on the day of the burn. This line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- All Permits to Burn issued under the Council Local Law will expire as of 30th of November or upon the declaration of the Fire Danger Period, whichever is earlier.
- Permits to Burn issued under the Council Local Law are not valid during the fire danger period or on a day of Total Fire Ban as declared by the Country Fire Authority/ Fire Rescue Victoria or a smog alert day as declared by the Environment Protection Authority.
For further information about fire restrictions during the Fire Danger Period visit CFA Warnings and Restrictions website or contact the Vic Emergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
Within Frankston City, fuel-reduction and ecological burning is conducted by both Frankston City Council's Natural Reserves Team and the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action (DEECA).
These burns are usually undertaken in spring and autumn when weather permits. For more information phone Council 1300 322 322.
For more information about burning undertaken on DEECA managed areas please visit the Forest Fire Management Victoria website: ffm.vic.gov.au/bushfire-fuel-and-risk-management/planned-burns.
For further information about fire restrictions during the Fire Danger Period visit the CFA Warnings and Restrictions website or contact the Vic Emergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.