---
slug: limite-exploracao-florestal-consumo-proprietario
lang: en
titulo: Maximum annual limit for non-commercial forestry exploration in Legal Reserve is 20 m³
resposta: The maximum annual limit for non-commercial forestry exploration in Legal Reserve is 20 cubic meters, regardless of property size.
curto: 20 m³/year in LR
tema: Licensing
revisada: 2026-10-04
proxima: 2027-04-04

---
## Data
| Who | Criterion | Annual limit (m³) | Source | Data date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rural property owner or possessor | Non-commercial occasional forestry exploration (consumption on the property) | 20 | Law No. 12.651/2012, art. 23 | 25/05/2012 |

Data consulted on 04/10/2026.

## Basis
- [Law No. 12.651/2012 (Planalto, in Portuguese)](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2011-2014/2012/lei/l12651.htm): Art. 23 establishes that sustainable management for non-commercial occasional forestry exploration in Legal Reserve, for consumption on the property, does not require environmental authorization and is limited to 20 m³/year. The motivation and volume explored must be declared to the environmental agency.

## How it applies
This rule applies to all rural property owners or possessors, regardless of property size, provided the exploration is occasional (not continuous or systematic) and non-commercial (exclusively for personal consumption, such as firewood or wood for improvements). Prior declaration to the environmental agency is mandatory but does not require licensing.

## Limits
- Applies only to occasional and non-commercial exploration: does not extend to continuous, commercial, or industrial activities.
- Exception for properties under item V of art. 3 of Law 12.651/2012 (small family rural properties or holdings): in these cases, the limit is reduced to 2 m³/ha/year, with additional restrictions (maximum of 15 m³/year per property and 15% of the Legal Reserve biomass).
- Mandatory declaration: even without licensing, the volume explored must be reported to the environmental agency.
- Subsequent changes: check for possible updates in Law 12.651/2012 or in state/municipal regulations that may modify the limits or requirements.
- Does not cover forest restoration: properties under item V of art. 3 are exempt from reforestation if the exploration is for personal consumption, but this does not apply to other cases.