Fire Regulations in Houston, TX (2026)
7 verified fire regulations for Houston, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pit Rules
Houston prohibits open burning within city limits. Recreational fire pits are permitted only in approved containers (manufactured fire pits, chimineas). Open-flame devices must be 10 feet from combustible construction. Sky lanterns are banned.
Houston Fire Pit & Outdoor Fire Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsFireworks
All consumer fireworks are illegal within Houston city limits including sparklers. Fines are $500 to $2,000 per firework with no warnings issued. Parents are liable for minors' violations.
Houston Fireworks Ban
Heavy RestrictionsTex. Occupations Code § 2154.202
Sec. 2154.202. RETAIL FIREWORKS PERMIT. (a) A person selling fireworks directly to the public must annually obtain a nonrenewable retail fireworks permit for each retail location.(b) The commissioner shall set and collect a retail fireworks permit fee in an amount not to exceed $20.(c) The commissioner shall provide for the sale of a retail fireworks permit through an Internet website. A person...
Brush Clearance
Houston requires property owners to maintain vegetation to prevent fire and safety hazards. Grass must be 9 inches or less; brush and shrubbery 7 feet or less. Vegetation over 48 inches is declared an immediate danger and may be abated without notice.
Houston Brush & Vegetation Clearance
Some RestrictionsOutdoor Burning
Open burning is prohibited within Houston city limits under the adopted Fire Code and TCEQ 30 TAC §111.209. The Houston-Galveston-Brazoria ozone nonattainment area adds air quality restrictions. Report violations to HFD at 832-394-6900.
Houston Outdoor Burning Prohibition
Heavy RestrictionsWildfire Zones
Houston does not have designated wildfire risk zones within its city limits. The Houston Fire Code, based on the International Fire Code, contains general wildfire-risk provisions but these are largely inapplicable in Houston's urban Gulf Coast setting.
Houston Wildfire Zone Regulations
Few RestrictionsSmoke Detectors
Smoke alarms in Houston dwellings are governed by Tex. Health & Safety Code Chapter 766 and the Houston Fire Code, which adopts the International Fire Code (2021 edition) with local amendments. Tex. Property Code Sec. 92.255 requires landlords to install at least one smoke alarm in each separate bedroom plus one on each level of the dwelling.
Smoke Detector Requirements in Houston
Heavy RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code § 766.002 (Smoke Detector Requirement)
Sec. 766.002. SMOKE DETECTOR REQUIREMENT. (a) Each one-family or two-family dwelling constructed in this state must have working smoke detectors installed in the dwelling in accordance with the smoke detector requirements of the building code in effect in the political subdivision in which the dwelling is located, including performance, location, and power source requirements.(b) If a one-f...
Propane Storage
Propane in Houston regulated by the Houston Fire Code. NFPA 58 setbacks. Over 500 gallons requires HFD permit.
Houston Propane Storage Rules
Some RestrictionsLooking for Harris County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Houston city rules.
Fire Regulations in Harris County →