Fire Regulations in Dallas County, TX (2026)

4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in Dallas County, Texas.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Dallas County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires

Unincorporated Dallas County bans burning combustible material outside an enclosure that contains all flames and sparks, so an open fire pit without a screen or containment violates Sec. 38-1. Trench burning is separately exempted; citations carry fines up to $1,000.

Dallas County Recreational Fire Pit Rules

Some Restrictions

Dallas County Code Sec. 38-1(a)-(b)

(a) A person commits an offense if he or she burns any combustible materials outside an enclosure which serves to contain all flames and/or sparks, or orders such burning by others. Burning of household trash in barrels meeting the county fire marshal's office guidelines, trench burning and charcoal grills are exempt from this restriction. (b) Any violation of this section may result in a citat...

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Fireworks

TX Local Government Code Section 352.051 allows county commissioners to restrict fireworks in unincorporated areas during drought or disaster. TX Occupations Code Chapter 2154 governs sales and use statewide. Aerial fireworks require state permit.

Unincorporated Dallas County Fireworks

Few Restrictions

Tex. Local Gov't Code Sec. 352.051(a),(c) — Regulation of Restricted Fireworks

Sec. 352.051. REGULATION OF RESTRICTED FIREWORKS. (a) For the purposes of this section the following definitions shall apply: (1) "Restricted fireworks" means only those items classified under 49 C.F.R. Sec. 173.100(r)(2) (10-1-86 edition), as "skyrockets with sticks" and "missiles with fins". (2) "Drought conditions" means the existence immediately preceding or during the fireworks season of a...

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Outdoor Burning

Burning combustible material outside a spark-containing enclosure is a misdemeanor in unincorporated Dallas County under Sec. 38-1, fined up to $1,000. On state ozone-alert days, Sec. 106-243(a)(4) bars the fire marshal from issuing any open burning permits countywide.

Dallas County Open Burning Restrictions

Significant Restrictions

Dallas County Code Sec. 38-1(a); Sec. 106-243(a)(4)

Sec. 38-1(a): A person commits an offense if he or she burns any combustible materials outside an enclosure which serves to contain all flames and/or sparks, or orders such burning by others... Sec. 106-243(a)(4): The county fire marshal will not issue open burning permits for the county's unincorporated areas.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Wildfire Zones

Outdoor burning is prohibited in unincorporated Dallas County unless a daily burn permit is issued by the Dallas County Fire Marshal. Burns must be at least 300 ft from any building, surrounded by a 50-ft firebreak, attended by an adult, and have water on site. The Commissioners Court can declare a county-wide burn ban during drought.

Dallas County Wildfire & Outdoor Burning Rules (Unincorporated)

Light Restrictions

Tex. Local Gov't Code Sec. 352.081(c)-(d)

Sec. 352.081. REGULATION OF OUTDOOR BURNING. ... (c) The commissioners court of a county by order may prohibit or restrict outdoor burning in general or outdoor burning of a particular substance in all or part of the unincorporated area of the county if: (1) drought conditions have been determined to exist as provided by Subsection (b); or (2) the commissioners court makes a finding that circum...

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