Understanding Banjar and Biaya Banjar in Bali 

Bali is not just a beautiful island with stunning beaches and rich culture; it is also a place where traditional community values play a significant role in everyday life. One of the most essential aspects of Balinese society is Banjar, a local community organization that oversees social, cultural, and religious activities. Whether you are a tourist planning a long-term stay, a foreigner renting a villa, or an investor owning property, understanding how Biaya Banjar (Banjar fees) works is important.

What is Banjar?

Banjar is a traditional neighborhood association in Bali, responsible for maintaining local order, organizing cultural and religious ceremonies, and handling community affairs. Every village in Bali consists of multiple Banjars, and each has its own leaders and rules. The Banjar plays a critical role in preserving Balinese traditions and ensuring community harmony.

The Banjar also serves as the primary contact point for residents regarding local security, infrastructure maintenance, and neighborhood activities. If you live in a Balinese neighborhood, you will likely interact with the Banjar at some point, whether for social events, problem-solving, or financial contributions.

What is Biaya Banjar?

Biaya Banjar refers to the fees or contributions that residents are expected to pay to support the Banjar’s activities. These fees help fund:

- Traditional ceremonies (such as temple festivals and religious rituals)

- Community events (including cultural parades and social gatherings)

- Security services (such as neighborhood patrols and Pecalang, Bali’s traditional security guards)

- Local infrastructure maintenance (such as roads, waste management, and public facilities)

Do Foreigners Need to Pay Biaya Banjar?

The answer depends on your status and involvement in the community:

1. Tourists & Short-Term Visitors

If you are a short-term visitor staying in a hotel, guesthouse, or Airbnb, you do not need to pay Biaya Banjar directly. However, some accommodations may include it in their fees as part of their operational costs.

2. Long-Term Renters

If you are renting a house or villa for an extended period (especially in a traditional village setting), the Banjar may expect you to contribute. Some landlords or property managers include this fee in the rent, while others leave it up to the tenant to handle. It’s advisable to ask your landlord about Banjar contributions before signing a lease.

3. Foreign Property Owners

If you own property in Bali through a leasehold or a PT PMA (foreign-owned company), the Banjar may request regular contributions. While there is no strict legal obligation, paying Biaya Banjar helps maintain a positive relationship with the local community and ensures that you receive community support when needed.

How Much is Biaya Banjar?

The cost of Biaya Banjar varies depending on the location and the community’s expectations. Fees can range from IDR 100,000 to IDR 1,000,000 per month ($7 to $70 USD), depending on the village and your level of participation in community activities. Some Banjar also request additional contributions for major ceremonies or infrastructure projects.

For foreign property owners, fees can be higher, especially if you are running a business, such as a villa rental. Some Banjars set an annual fee, while others collect it monthly.

What Happens If You Don’t Pay?

While Biaya Banjar is not a legally binding tax, refusing to contribute may have consequences:

- Social Disapproval – The Banjar may view non-payment as disrespectful, leading to tension with neighbors.

- Limited Community Support – If you need assistance (such as dispute resolution, security issues, or event participation), the Banjar may be less inclined to help.

- Higher Fees Later – Some communities may impose higher fees on non-contributors in the future, particularly for foreign-owned properties.

How to Contribute Respectfully

If you are staying in Bali long-term or own property, here are some tips for handling Biaya Banjar:

1. Ask for Clarification – Speak with your landlord, property manager, or neighbors to understand Banjar expectations.

2. Attend Meetings if Possible – If invited, attending a Banjar meeting (known as a “Paruman”) shows respect and helps you understand community matters.

3. Make Payments Promptly – Regular contributions demonstrate goodwill and help maintain smooth relationships.

4. Support Local Events – Even if you don’t participate in every ceremony, occasional involvement in cultural activities can strengthen your community ties.

Biaya Banjar is an important aspect of Balinese community life, supporting local traditions, security, and infrastructure. While it is not an official tax, long-term residents and foreign property owners are often expected to contribute as a sign of respect and participation. By understanding and embracing this tradition, foreigners living in Bali can integrate better into the community and enjoy a more harmonious experience on the island.

If you are planning to stay in Bali for an extended period, whether as a renter or a property owner, it’s best to inquire about Biaya Banjar early and factor it into your living expenses. A small contribution can go a long way in ensuring positive relations with the local community and making your Bali experience more enjoyable.

The banjar are the local community that apply the traditional laws, each area of Bali has its own Banjar which is supervised by the representative chiefs (klian adat) of each family living in the area. The leader is elected and a medium is used to approve whether or not his nomination speaks in the name of Gods. They commonly meet every month to discuss different matters: they determine dates for local religious events, they raise funds for ceremonies and allocate them for temple maintenance. They also have a role in property transactions happening in the area. A commonplace is shared in a Banjar and used as a common room as well as a meeting room for the gatherings.

Every married man has to belong to a Banjar. Every ceremony has to be approved by the Banjar and different Banjar can split the organization of ceremonies throughout the year. When it comes to making a decision it has to be unanimous among the families. Since 1979 the Banjar is an official Indonesian structure, the lowest and more local one.

Whereas the Banjar represented a physical space in the past, nowadays two Banjar can share an area, and the term Banjar represents more the group of people that compounds it. Every member of a Banjar has responsibilities and has to help the community. A Banjar is also a keeper of traditions: they watch that local people are hired rather than foreigners, regulate the traffic when there are ceremonies and are sometimes acting as an intermediary in some conflicts. 

Bali is renowned for many things, from its world-famous delicacies, surf and Sanur is well known where the sky is covered of beautiful and colorful kites. The annual kite festival is always an attraction for kite lovers, both locals, nationals or internationals, and takes place between July and August near Mertasari Beach in Sanur.

This is a religious event, not only a kite flying festival, that sends a message for the gods to bring abundance in crops and harvest. The aim of this event is to promote traditional Balinese kites and preserve local culture.

Traditional giant kites are in various shapes and sizes, all the kites are built by the flyers themselves, and sometimes with help of their local communities, and they’re crafted by traditional Balinese kite patterns. Most of them are giant, and sizes are increased year after year, measuring up to four meters in width and 10 meters in length.

The most common design is the ‘bebean’ type, with a traditional outline of a fish, and is called the ‘giant kite’ of Bali that dominates the sky. Janggan kite has a really long tail, the longest record was about 200 meters! It’s hard to believe, but Balinese kites are bigger than another kite in the world. Flying abilities of all kites are assessed by judges and winners can have some money and trophies. If you want to win, there are some categories such as ‘best launch’, ‘best design’ and also the ‘longest flight’.

But the most important in this competition is that flyers have fun, they make the most impressive kites and also represent their ‘banjar’ (district).

 If you want to spend good times with your family during your stay in the island of Gods, and if you’re lucky to be in Bali in July or August, don’t miss the 38th annual kites festival in Sanur this year