Fort Worth's Fire Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fire regulations a little differently. In Fort Worth, Texas, there are 7 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Brush Clearance

Fort Worth's weed and brush ordinance requires property owners to keep grass under 12 inches and brush cleared, with enforcement by Code Compliance on a complaint and inspection basis.

Key details: Grass Limit: 12 inches maximum. Code Section: Chapter 11.5. Notice Period: 10 days to abate. City Mow Cost: ~$250-$600 billed + lien. Defensible Space: 30 ft recommended near greenbelts.

Initial notice gives 10 days to comply. City-contracted mowing is billed to the owner at cost plus administrative fees, typically $250 to $600, and attaches as a lien. Repeat violations within 12 months can skip the notice step and go directly to citation.

Propane Storage

Fort Worth has adopted the International Fire Code with local amendments through Fire Code Chapter 13. IFC Chapter 61 governs liquefied petroleum gas storage, with permits, setback distances, and tank-size limits enforced by the Fort Worth Fire Marshal.

Key details: Authority: Fort Worth Fire Code Chapter 13. Base code: International Fire Code Ch. 61. Permit threshold: Over 125 gallons aggregate. Apartment balcony: One-pound cylinder maximum. Lead agency: Fort Worth Fire Marshal.

Fire Code violations carry citations up to two thousand dollars per day per offense and can trigger immediate red-tag orders requiring removal of unauthorized tanks. Multifamily violations may also produce notice-of-violation letters from Code Compliance and the Fire Marshal.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Fort Worth actively enforces its propane storage requirements.

Smoke Detectors

Fort Worth requires working smoke alarms in every sleeping area and on every floor under the adopted International Fire Code and Texas Property Code Section 92.251 for rentals.

Key details: Required Locations: Every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, every floor. New Construction: Interconnected, hardwired. Rental Statute: TX Prop Code 92.251. Landlord Repair: 7-day response duty. Free Alarms: Fort Worth Fire community program.

Landlord failures under Texas Property Code can trigger tenant remedies including rent abatement, actual damages, and one month's rent plus $100 statutory damages. City code violations are Class C misdemeanors up to $2,000 for life-safety issues.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Fort Worth actively enforces its smoke detectors requirements.

Backyard Fires

Open burning of yard waste is prohibited inside Fort Worth city limits, but contained recreational fires in approved pits under three feet across and using clean wood are allowed.

Key details: Yard Waste Burning: Prohibited in city limits. Pit Size: Max 3 ft wide x 2 ft tall. Setback: 25 ft from structures (open pile). Patio Units: UL-listed chimineas OK at 15 ft. Burn Ban: Set by Tarrant County / Fire Marshal.

Illegal open burning is a Class C misdemeanor carrying fines up to $500, plus potential TCEQ enforcement. Violations during a declared burn ban can escalate to fines up to $2,000 per occurrence. The Fire Department can also bill for suppression costs if a fire escapes.

Outdoor Burning

Fort Worth Code Chapter 13 adopts the 2021 International Fire Code, which generally prohibits open burning of refuse and yard waste inside city limits. The Fire Marshal may also impose temporary burn bans during drought.

Key details: Code Reference: Fort Worth Code Ch. 13 (adopts 2021 IFC). Trench Burn Setback: 300 ft from structures and property lines. Firebreak: 50 ft from vegetation. County Burn Bans: Tarrant County declarations apply citywide.

Violations of Chapter 13 and the adopted IFC are Class C misdemeanors. The Fort Worth Fire Marshal may also issue stop-work / extinguishment orders and recover costs of fire suppression for unlawful burns.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Fort Worth actively enforces its outdoor burning requirements.

Fireworks

Fireworks are illegal in Fort Worth per city ordinance 3301.3 — possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling, and use all prohibited. Fine up to $2,000. Also illegal within 5,000 feet outside city limits. Report violations: 817-392-3000.

Key details: Consumer: All prohibited. Possession: Also illegal. Buffer: 5,000 ft beyond city. Report: 817-392-3000.

Fine up to $2,000. Possession included. Also illegal within 5,000 ft of city limits.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Fort Worth actively enforces its fireworks requirements.

Fire Pit Rules

Fort Worth requires permanent fire pits of noncombustible materials, minimum 10 feet from structures. Must be constantly attended with 4-A rated extinguisher available. During burn bans, social gathering fire pits may be excluded but check current orders.

Key details: Materials: Noncombustible. Clearance: 10 ft from structures. Attendance: Required at all times. Extinguisher: 4-A rated minimum.

Unattended fire: fine per fire code. Fire during active burn ban without exemption: Class C misdemeanor up to $500.

The Bottom Line

Fort Worth is tougher than many cities when it comes to fire regulations. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Fort Worth, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Fort Worth's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.