Fire Regulations in Austin, TX (2026)
6 verified fire regulations for Austin, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Austin's Fire Code requires an operational permit to kindle almost any open fire in the city, but it carves out two exceptions that cover a typical backyard fire pit: Section 105.5.36 exempts recreational fires outright, and Section 307.2 exempts a legitimate cooking fire or legitimate warming fire, letting most residential fire pits and chimineas operate without an Austin Fire Department permit.
Austin Recreational Fire Pit Permit Exemption
Light RestrictionsAustin City Code Sec. 25-12-173 (2024 Int'l Fire Code Secs. 105.5.36, 307.2)
105.5.36 Open burning. An operational permit is required to kindle or maintain an open fire or a fire on a public street, alley, road or other public or private ground. ... Exception: Recreational fires. ... 307.2 Permit required. A permit shall be obtained from the fire department emergency prevention division in accordance with Section 105.6 prior to kindling a fire for recognized silvicultur...
Fireworks
Consumer fireworks are illegal to possess, use, or sell within Austin city limits. Violations can carry fines up to $2,000. Permits are issued only for professional displays by Austin Fire Special Events.
fire/fireworks
Heavy RestrictionsTex. Occ. Code Sec. 2154.251(a)
Sec. 2154.251. PROHIBITED USE OF FIREWORKS. (a) A person may not: (1) explode or ignite fireworks within 600 feet of any church, a hospital other than a veterinary hospital, an asylum, a licensed child care center, or a public or private primary or secondary school or institution of higher education unless the person receives authorization in writing from that organization; (2) sell at retail, ...
Outdoor Burning
Austin requires an Austin Fire Department permit before anyone kindles a rubbish fire, bonfire, warming fire or agricultural burn anywhere in the city, effectively banning unpermitted open burning under Fire Code Sec. 307.2, and even permitted agricultural burns must stop the moment a weather-related burn ban takes effect under Sec. 308.7.3.
Austin Open Burning Permit and Burn Ban Rules
Significant RestrictionsAustin City Code Sec. 25-12-173 (2024 Int'l Fire Code Secs. 307.2, 308.7.3)
307.2 Permit required. A permit shall be obtained from the fire department emergency prevention division in accordance with Section 105.6 prior to kindling a fire for recognized silvicultural or range or wildlife management practices, prevention or control of disease or pests, a warming fire, a rubbish fire, or a bonfire. Application for such approval shall only be presented by and permits issu...
Wildfire Zones
Austin designates every structure inside a mapped wildland-urban interface area as Proximity Zone A, B or C based on its distance from wildland, and that zone letter, set by Sec. 302.4 of the local Wildland-Urban Interface Code, determines which fuel-modification, access and water-supply rules in Sections 504 through 506 apply to the building.
Austin Wildfire Proximity Zone Designations
Significant RestrictionsAustin City Code Sec. 25-12-183 (2024 Int'l Wildland-Urban Interface Code Sec. 302.4)
302.4 Proximity Zone designation. Structures located in a designated wildland-urban interface area shall be designated as either Proximity Zone A, Proximity Zone B, or Proximity Zone C depending on the distance from the wildland and shall comply with the applicable Sections 504 through 506 of this code and the requirements of the Building or Residential Codes and the Fire Code as applicable. Pr...
Smoke Detectors
Austin follows the International Fire Code and Texas Property Code §92.251-.262 requiring working smoke alarms in every sleeping room, hallway, and each story of a dwelling. Rental properties must have alarms tested at move-in, and interconnected 10-year sealed-battery alarms are required in new construction.
Austin Smoke Detector Rules
Light RestrictionsTex. Prop. Code Sec. 92.255 (Smoke Alarm Installation and Location)
Sec. 92.255. INSTALLATION AND LOCATION. (a) A landlord shall install at least one smoke alarm in each separate bedroom in a dwelling unit. In addition: (1) if the dwelling unit is designed to use a single room for dining, living, and sleeping, the smoke alarm must be located inside the room; (2) if multiple bedrooms are served by the same corridor, at least one smoke alarm must be installed in ...
Propane Storage
Austin doesn't require a fire permit for ordinary household propane use at a single-family home, but Sec. 6104.2 of the Fire Code bans any above- or below-ground LP-gas container over 24 gallons water capacity outside Major or Light Industry zoning, unless the fire code official approves a residential tank case-by-case under Sec. 6101.2's location review.
Austin Residential Propane Storage Limits
Some RestrictionsAustin City Code Sec. 25-12-173 (2024 Int'l Fire Code Secs. 6101.2, 6104.2)
6101.2 Permits. The requirements in this chapter for permits to store or use hazardous materials within the City are applicable to a permit to store, use, handle, or dispense LP-gas, or to install or maintain an LP-gas container. Permits shall be required as set forth in Section 105.6. As noted in Section 105.6.21.7 of these amendments, a permit is not required for non-commercial use at a singl...
Looking for Travis County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Austin city rules.
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