Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Bonfires

There is no outright ban on having bonfires, however if smoke  is found to be causing a statutory nuisance to neighbours we are obliged to serve an abatement notice on the person responsible for the nuisance.

Failure to comply with the abatement notice can lead to legal action. 

The legislation is designed to deal primarily with serious incidents or recurring smaller incidents which affect a persons enjoyment of their property.

We advise you to consider alternative methods of disposal such as composting garden waste, participating in green waste recycling collections, or you can also dispose of the material at the the Household Waste Recycling Centre.

If you experience a problem with smoke from bonfires please contact us.