How Hendersonville Handles Fire Regulations: A Practical Guide

Hendersonville maintains 104 local ordinances across all categories, and 8 of those deal specifically with fire regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Hendersonville falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Fire Pit Rules

The Hendersonville Fire Department exempts cooking, ceremonial, and recreational fires - including backyard fire pits, chimineas, smokeless fire pits, barbecues, and outdoor fireplaces - from the open-burn permit requirement under the city's open-burning rules. The Department enforces the 2021 International Fire Code (IFC) under Title 7 of the Hendersonville Municipal Code, effective July 1, 2025 (the prior adopted edition was the 2018 IFC effective June 13, 2017). IFC Section 307.4.2 requires recreational fires to be at least 25 feet from a structure or combustible material, attended at all times by an alert adult, and equipped with an extinguishment means (hose, bucket, or extinguisher) on site. The Fire Prevention Bureau (615-822-1119) is the local point of contact. Hendersonville fronts Old Hickory Lake; recreational fires on lakeside lots remain subject to the same 25-ft setback and wind-velocity limits.

Key details: Recreational Fire Permit: Not required (exempt under open-burning rules). Setback: 25 ft from structures and combustibles (IFC 307.4). Adopted Code: 2021 IFC (effective 7/1/2025); 2018 NFPA 101. Wind Limit: No fire above 10 mph sustained wind. Fire Prevention Bureau: 615-822-1119 (225 Freehill Road).

Fires that exceed the 25-ft setback, burn prohibited materials, are left unattended, or are conducted when the Fire Marshal has issued a burn ban are enforced by the Hendersonville Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau (615-822-1119) under Title 7 of the Hendersonville Municipal Code. Suppression units may be dispatched and the fire ordered extinguished. Open burning without a permit is subject to a $250 fine for malicious burning per the City's burn-permit policy. Fire Code violations are also enforceable by the State Fire Marshal's Office under TCA Title 68, Chapter 120.

The rules around fire pit rules in Hendersonville lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Outdoor Burning

A Controlled Burn Permit is required from the Hendersonville Fire Department for any open fire on private or commercial property within city limits, except for cooking, ceremonial, or recreational fires (which are exempt). Permits are obtained from any fire station (residential) or the Fire Marshal's office at 225 Freehill Road (commercial/contractors) and are valid for one week from issue. Burning is allowed only for trees, limbs, and brush indigenous to the site - no pallets, tires, construction debris, roofing, painted/treated wood, asbestos, pesticides, herbicides, or petroleum products. Burning hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday (no Sunday burning), and no burning is allowed when sustained winds exceed 10 mph. Outside city limits in unincorporated Sumner County, the Tennessee Division of Forestry requires a free burn permit October 15 through May 15 for burning within 500 ft of forestland or grassland under TCA 68-102. The Fire Marshal may invalidate permits during adverse weather (a city-wide burn ban was imposed in spring 2026 during drought).

Key details: Permit Required?: Yes - Controlled Burn Permit from Fire Dept. Exempt Fires: Cooking, recreational, ceremonial (no permit). Hours: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon-Sat (no Sunday). State Permit Season (outside city): Oct 15-May 15 (TN Forestry). Penalty: $250 fine for open burning without permit.

Open burning without a Controlled Burn Permit is subject to a $250 fine for malicious burning under the Hendersonville Fire Department's burn-permit policy, enforceable under Title 7 of the Hendersonville Municipal Code by the Fire Prevention Bureau (615-822-1119). Suppression units may be dispatched to extinguish unlawful or uncontrolled fires. Burning prohibited materials (tires, treated wood, roofing, plastics) violates TDEC Rule 1200-03-04 and is separately enforceable by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Outside city limits, Tennessee Division of Forestry burn-permit violations are a Class C misdemeanor under TCA 68-102-148 (up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine).

Backyard Fires

Backyard fires in Hendersonville fall into three categories under Title 7 of the Hendersonville Municipal Code, which adopts the 2021 IFC (effective July 1, 2025): (1) cooking, ceremonial, and recreational fires - including backyard fire pits, chimineas, smokeless fire pits, barbecues, and outdoor fireplaces - are exempt from the Controlled Burn Permit requirement, subject to IFC 307.4 standards (25-ft setback from structures, adult attendance, extinguishment means on site); (2) brush burns require a Controlled Burn Permit from the Fire Prevention Bureau (615-822-1119) and are limited to indigenous trees/limbs/brush in 144 cubic foot piles with a 50-ft setback, attended at all times, only 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, no winds above 10 mph; (3) burning trash, pallets, treated wood, tires, painted material, asbestos, herbicides, pesticides, or petroleum products is prohibited regardless of containment under both city policy and TDEC Rule 1200-03-04. The Fire Marshal may declare burn bans during drought.

Key details: Recreational Fire/Fire Pit: Exempt from permit (25-ft setback per IFC 307.4). Brush Burn: Permit required, 50-ft setback, 144 cf pile max. Hours (permit burns): 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon-Sat (no Sunday). Code Cite: HMC Title 7 (2021 IFC) - IFC Section 307. Permitted Fuel: Seasoned natural wood / indigenous brush.

Backyard fires that violate Title 7 of the Hendersonville Municipal Code, the adopted 2021 IFC, or the Fire Department's open-burning policy are enforced by the Hendersonville Fire Prevention Bureau (615-822-1119). Open burning without a Controlled Burn Permit is subject to a $250 fine for malicious burning per the City's published policy. Suppression units may be dispatched to extinguish unlawful or uncontrolled fires; unattended fires, oversize fires, fires too close to structures, fires burning prohibited materials, or fires conducted on a Sunday or during a Fire Marshal-declared burn ban may be ordered extinguished and cited.

Fireworks

Title 7, Chapter 4 of the Hendersonville Municipal Code (Fireworks) requires a permit issued by the Fire Department for the discharge of consumer fireworks within the city limits. Under Section 7-402, permits are issued only for July 3 and July 4 from 5:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. Tennessee Code Annotated 68-104-116 (Local Regulation) expressly authorizes municipalities to regulate, restrict, or totally prohibit the sale and use of fireworks within their corporate limits even though TCA Chapter 68-104 otherwise legalizes consumer fireworks (DOT Class C / 1.4G) statewide. Sky lanterns are separately prohibited statewide for non-professional use under TCA 68-104-101(9) - only licensed fireworks professionals may operate them. Public fireworks displays in Hendersonville require both a State Fire Marshal's Office display operator's license and local Hendersonville Fire Marshal approval.

Key details: Local Status: Permit required (Title 7, Ch. 4 HMC). Allowed Times: July 3 & 4 only, 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.. Code Cite: Hendersonville Municipal Code Section 7-402. Sky Lanterns: Licensed professionals only (TCA 68-104-101(9)). State Authority: TCA 68-104-116 (Local Regulation).

The Hendersonville Fire Department and Hendersonville Police Department jointly enforce the fireworks ordinance. Discharge of consumer fireworks at any time other than July 3-4 between 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. - or without a permit - is a violation of Title 7, Chapter 4 of the Hendersonville Municipal Code and is enforceable under the City's general penalty (TCA 6-54-308 limit of $50 per violation absent a separately authorized higher penalty), and is also a Class C misdemeanor under TCA 68-104-127 if it constitutes possession or use in a banned municipality. Unlicensed sky-lantern use is a state violation enforceable by the SFMO. Public-display violations are enforceable by the SFMO and locally.

This is one of the stricter rules in Hendersonville's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Wildfire Zones

Hendersonville sits on Old Hickory Lake in Sumner County in Middle Tennessee and is not within a federally mapped Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone. Tennessee does not adopt the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) statewide; TCA 68-120-101 establishes the 2018 IBC/IRC/IFC family as the statewide minimum and the State Fire Marshal's Office administers it. Wildfire-related controls in Hendersonville therefore come from (1) the City's Controlled Burn Permit regime under Title 7 of the Hendersonville Municipal Code and the 2021 IFC, which requires constant attendance, a 50-ft setback, a 10 mph wind limit, and a 144 cf pile cap on permitted brush burns; and (2) Tennessee's statewide outdoor-burning permit season under TCA 68-102 (October 15 to May 15) for areas within 500 ft of forestland or grassland in unincorporated Sumner County. The Fire Marshal may declare local burn bans during drought (one was imposed in spring 2026).

Key details: WUI Status: Not in a federally mapped WUI zone. IWUIC Adoption: None (TN does not adopt IWUIC statewide). State Statute: TCA 68-120-101; TCA 68-102 (Forestry burn permits). Local Cite: Hendersonville Municipal Code Title 7 (2021 IFC). Burn Ban Authority: Hendersonville Fire Marshal (adverse weather).

Because Tennessee has no statewide WUI code and Hendersonville has not adopted one, wildfire-related enforcement runs through (1) the Hendersonville Fire Prevention Bureau's Controlled Burn Permit rules under Title 7 of the Hendersonville Municipal Code (615-822-1119), with a $250 fine for malicious burning without a permit; (2) the Tennessee Division of Forestry's statewide burn-permit program under TCA Title 68, Chapter 102 - violations are a Class C misdemeanor under TCA 68-102-148; (3) TDEC Rule 1200-03-04 air-pollution-control limits on burning prohibited materials; and (4) IPMC property-maintenance enforcement for overgrown vegetation.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Hendersonville gives residents more flexibility on wildfire zones.

Brush Clearance

Hendersonville requires property owners to maintain their lots free of accumulated brush and overgrown vegetation under the City's property-maintenance provisions (enforced through Code Enforcement and the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code adopted effective July 1, 2025). Unlike many Tennessee cities, Hendersonville does allow controlled burning of brush within city limits - but only with a Controlled Burn Permit from the Fire Prevention Bureau (615-822-1119), and only for tree limbs and brush 'indigenous to the site of the burn' (grown on the property). Pile size is capped at 144 cubic feet (12 ft x 12 ft), the pile must be at least 50 feet from any structure, no burning above 10 mph sustained wind, no Sunday burning, hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and the burn must be constantly attended with water or extinguishing equipment on site.

Key details: Brush Burning In-City?: Allowed with Controlled Burn Permit. Material Limit: Indigenous trees, limbs, brush only. Pile Size: Max 144 cubic feet (12 ft x 12 ft). Setback: 50 ft minimum from any structure. Hours: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon-Sat (no Sunday).

Open burning without a Controlled Burn Permit is subject to a $250 fine for malicious burning under the Hendersonville Fire Department's published policy and is enforceable under Title 7 of the Hendersonville Municipal Code (Fire Prevention Bureau, 615-822-1119). Burning prohibited materials violates TDEC Rule 1200-03-04. State Division of Forestry burn-permit violations in unincorporated Sumner County are a Class C misdemeanor under TCA 68-102-148 (up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine). Overgrown vegetation in violation of the adopted 2021 IPMC is abateable by the City with the cost recoverable as a lien against the property.

Smoke Detectors

Smoke alarm requirements in Hendersonville homes follow Tennessee Code Annotated 68-120-112 (Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in residential buildings) and the 2021 International Residential Code adopted locally effective July 1, 2025 under the Hendersonville Municipal Code (the prior adopted edition was the 2018 IRC). Smoke alarms must be installed in each sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms, and on each story of the dwelling including basements, per IRC Section R314 and the manufacturer's instructions. In new construction, alarms must be hardwired with battery backup and interconnected. TCA 68-120-112 also requires carbon monoxide alarms in dwellings with fossil-fuel-burning appliances or attached garages. The Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office runs the statewide Get Alarmed, TN! program providing free 10-year sealed-battery smoke alarms to qualifying residents.

Key details: State Cite: TCA 68-120-112 (Smoke + CO Alarms in Residential). Technical Standard: 2021 IRC Section R314 (locally, eff. 7/1/2025). Statewide Minimum: 2018 IRC under TCA 68-120-101. Placement: Each sleeping room + outside each sleeping area + each story. Power: Hardwired w/ battery backup + interconnected (new construction).

Failure to install or maintain required smoke alarms in a rental dwelling violates TCA 68-120-112 and is enforceable by the State Fire Marshal's Office and locally by the Hendersonville Fire Marshal's Office (615-822-1119). Landlords who fail to maintain working alarms face civil liability and may fail HUD or Section 8 inspections. In new construction, missing or non-compliant smoke alarms are a violation of the adopted 2021 IRC (effective July 1, 2025 in Hendersonville) enforceable through building permit and inspection by Codes Administration.

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

Propane Storage

Propane (LP-gas) storage, use, and dispensing in Hendersonville is regulated by the Tennessee LP-Gas Code (Tennessee adoption of NFPA 58) under the Liquefied Petroleum Safety Act of Tennessee (TCA Title 68, Chapter 135) and Tennessee Rules 0780-02-17, and by Chapter 61 (Liquefied Petroleum Gases) of the 2021 International Fire Code adopted locally effective July 1, 2025 under Title 7 of the Hendersonville Municipal Code. The State Fire Marshal's Office regulates LP-gas dealers, transporters, and bulk facilities; the Hendersonville Fire Marshal's Office enforces in-City installations. Container installations greater than 2,000 gallons single or 4,000 gallons aggregate water capacity require construction documents. Per IFC Chapter 61 and NFPA 58, LP-gas containers larger than 2.5 lb water capacity may not be operated or stored on combustible balconies of multi-family buildings (1- and 2-family dwellings and fully sprinklered buildings exempt).

Key details: State Cite: TCA Title 68, Ch. 135 (LP Safety Act) + Rules 0780-02-17. Technical Standard: Tennessee LP-Gas Code (NFPA 58). Local Cite: HMC Title 7 - IFC Chapter 61 (2021 IFC eff. 7/1/2025). Construction Documents Trigger: >2,000 gal single or >4,000 gal aggregate water capacity. Balcony Grill Rule: IFC 6104.2 - banned >2.5 lb on combustible balconies of multi-family (1-2 family & sprinklered exempt).

LP-gas dealers operating without an SFMO license under TCA 68-135 and Rules 0780-02-17 face state enforcement, including fines and license revocation. Unsafe residential installations may be tagged out of service by the SFMO or the Hendersonville Fire Marshal's Office. Installations exceeding 2,000-gallon single / 4,000-gallon aggregate thresholds without submitted construction documents are subject to stop-work and citation under the Tennessee LP-Gas Code and Title 7 of the Hendersonville Municipal Code. IFC Chapter 61 balcony-grill violations on multi-family properties are enforced by the Hendersonville Fire Marshal's Office (615-822-1119).

The Bottom Line

Hendersonville's fire regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Hendersonville is broadly strict or permissive.

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