Residents in bushfire-prone areas of NSW can clear land around their homes without seeking special permission under laws that take effect this month.

The changes allow homeowners in certain areas to remove trees within 10 metres of their houses and clear vegetation other than trees within 50 metres, provided they comply with the state’s new Rural Fire Service Code of Practice.

Residents can check their address on the Rural Fire Service website to see if the new law covers them.

“All types of vegetation may be cleared other than mangroves and salt marsh on public land,” the code says.

The code includes restrictions to protect Aboriginal and other cultural heritage, and to preserve vegetation near streams.

The change follows fires last October that led to insurance losses of about $183 million. The Blue Mountains blaze destroyed 200 homes and damaged many more.

The state has also increased penalties for 18 fire-related offences.

Landowners who conduct unlawful hazard-reduction burns or fail to extinguish fires are among those facing increased penalties.