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Land Clearing Deadlines and Fines: What You Need to Know
🇬🇷 Greece

Land Clearing Deadlines and Fines: What You Need to Know

From Ta Nea · (7m ago) Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Greek authorities are reminding citizens of deadlines for clearing private land plots to prevent wildfires.
  • The deadline for submitting a declaration of clearing is June 15, with maintenance required until October 31.
  • Failure to comply can result in significant fines, including up to 2,000 euros for false declarations and potential imprisonment.

As Greece braces for another hot summer and the ever-present threat of wildfires, authorities are emphasizing the critical importance of clearing private land. The Hellenic Fire Service and municipalities are urging property owners to adhere to strict deadlines for clearing overgrown plots, a measure designed to mitigate the risk of fires spreading uncontrollably.

So, regarding the clearing of plots, I want us to talk today about the deadlines. Who is responsible, what is the procedure they must follow, and the deadlines.

— Christos KavalarisThe tax consultant explained the importance of the clearing process.

Tax consultant Christos Kavalaris highlighted the responsibilities and timelines involved in a recent interview. He explained that the obligation extends to properties within city plans, as well as undeveloped plots, with a clear window for clearing from April 1 to June 15, and ongoing maintenance required until the end of the fire season on October 31.

This concerns the clearing of plots within the city plan with buildings, as well as open spaces from April 1st. From April 1st to June 15th, and of course, maintenance until October 15th, which is the anti-fire period.

— Christos KavalarisKavalaris detailed the specific timeframes for land clearing and maintenance.

The implications of non-compliance are severe. Kavalaris warned of substantial penalties, including fines of up to 2,000 euros for submitting a false declaration and even a six-month prison sentence. A lesser fine of 100 euros applies if the deadline is simply missed. Importantly, the responsibility doesn't solely rest on the owner; tenants and even those residing abroad are obligated to maintain their properties or arrange for their upkeep.

So the responsibility does not fall only on the owner, but also on the one who uses the property correctly.

— Christos KavalarisKavalaris emphasized the shared responsibility for property maintenance.

From a Greek perspective, these regulations are not merely bureaucratic hurdles. They represent a vital collective effort to protect communities and natural landscapes from the devastating impact of wildfires, a recurring tragedy in recent years. The shared responsibility, extending to all who use or own property, underscores a national understanding of the fire risk. The availability of municipal services, like those offered by the Municipality of Amarousi for a fee, provides a practical solution for those unable to manage the clearing themselves, demonstrating a local approach to a widespread problem.

Be careful here, we have some data. You must submit the declaration after you have cleared it. There are some who say, okay, I have the obligation to do the declaration by June 15th. Make the declaration now and I will clear it later.

— Christos KavalarisKavalaris warned against submitting declarations before completing the clearing work.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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