BBQs & FIRES

General Guidelines 

Let's start with the General Guidelines for doing a BBQ in Malta, before walking you through the Council legislations. 

1.  Always keep 5m away from the tree canopy (horizontally away from above branches) as per SL. 549.123 when doing BBQs (gas, charcoal, wood) to prevent leaf/needle scorch due to the heat emitted.

2. Always elevate the fire, never kindle it on the ground. 

3. Always have a jerrycan with water aimed for the fire in case something happens / fire extinguisher. Small water bottles will not be efficient if the fire spreads.

4. Bring ashes of the charcoal with you home, don't dispose of it in the bins since it may ignite later and cause a fire. Disposal in nature is not allowed (S.L. 549.44). Make sure to not overload the BBQ with wood/charcoal!

5. If you use a single use charcoal BBQ, please remove the aluminium tray from the paper tray and use the metal stands to prevent the ground (or the paper tray) underneath the aluminium tray to catch fire.

6. Keep the site clean at all times, contain wrappings and food leftovers. Leave nothing on site! 

Restrictions

Note that within Trees Protected Areas (TPA) such as Buskett and other designated spaces (such as Majjistral Park and Chadwick Lakes) one can't kindle any open flame. Be on the lookout for site regulation signs in the managed areas! See the TPAs on MRU Google map.

The following Councils in Malta have Bye-laws regulating BBQs and fires for outdoor cooking. 

⚠️ Areas not mentioned in this post wouldn't have any Bye-laws as far as the MRU is aware, hence the above guidelines should be considered instead. Council Permits wouldn't be needed.

(If the group is bigger than 20 persons and you're within a Natura2000 site you have to obtain an ERA permit).

Birżebbuġa 

•⁠  Permit is needed from the Council as per Bye-law.

•⁠  ⁠You're only allowed to use gas BBQ and wood/charcoal BBQ in designated zones seen at the end of the byelaw (after permit obtained).

Marsaxlokk

•⁠  ⁠Permit is needed from the Council as per Bye-law.

•⁠  ⁠No site restriction mentioned, the Council will approve the site during the permit application.

Mellieha

•⁠  ⁠Permit needed from the council as per Bye-law.

•⁠  ⁠You're only allowed to use gas BBQ and wood/charcoal BBQ in designated zones as seen in First and Second Schedule of the Byelaw (after permit obtained). Note that each zone has different types of BBQs allowed/prohibited!

Aħrax campsites, Għadira and Golden Bay (Mixquqa): ONLY gas BBQ allowed (see designated zones for Ghadira).

⁠Imgiebaħ Bay: ALL outdoor cooking is prohibited (gas, wood, charcoal).

⁠Permit is needed for the other beaches/areas not mentioned.

Mgarr

•⁠  ⁠You can do an elevated BBQ at both Ġnejna and Għajn Tuffieħa, there is no Bye-law in place to regulate such activity within the Council hence no permit is needed. 

However, follow the guideline above and only kindle the fires/BBQs elevated and away from trees (SL. 549.123). For groups over 20 persons or a commercial activity, an ERA permit would be needed. Both sites are within a Natura2000 and have lots of protected trees and shrubs. Respect the area and take precautions! 

Permits

Council Permits

ERA Permits

⚠️ Disclaimer 

These guidelines may be subject to change. Always check with the Local Council in case regulations have been amended.