Fire Regulations in Harris County, TX (2026)

5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in Harris County, Texas.

Verified from official government sources

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

Fireworks

Harris County Commissioners Court can restrict fireworks sales and use during burn bans. Skyrockets, missiles, and bottle rockets (tail and fin fireworks) are banned during burn ban periods. Outside burn bans, most consumer fireworks are legal under Texas state law.

Harris County Fireworks Regulations (Unincorporated)

Light Restrictions

Texas Occupations Code Sec. 2154.251 (Prohibited Use of Fireworks)

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, ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Outdoor Burning

All outdoor burning in unincorporated Harris County is prohibited during active burn bans enacted by Commissioners Court. Exceptions exist for enclosed fires, non-commercial cooking, TCEQ-authorized burns, approved ceremonial fires, and welding operations.

Harris County Outdoor Burning Rules (Unincorporated)

Light Restrictions

TCEQ RG-049, Outdoor Burning in Texas (30 Tex. Admin. Code Ch. 111)

No person may cause, suffer, allow, or permit any outdoor burning within the State of Texas, except as (3) Landclearing operation—The uprooting, provided by this subchapter or by orders or permits of cutting, or clearing of vegetation in connection the commission. Outdoor disposal or deposition of any with conversion for the construction of buildings, ma...

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Wildfire Zones

Harris County is not in a designated wildfire risk zone. The humid Gulf Coast climate and urban development minimize wildfire risk. Periodic burn bans are enacted during drought conditions by Commissioners Court. No wildfire-specific building codes or defensible space requirements exist.

Fire: Wildfire Zones

Few Restrictions

Texas Local Government Code Sec. 352.081 (Regulation of Outdoor Burning — Drought / Wildfire Conditions)

Sec. 352.081. REGULATION OF OUTDOOR BURNING. (a) In this section, "drought conditions" means the existence of a long-term deficit of moisture creating atypically severe conditions with increased wildfire occurrence as defined by the Texas Forest Service through the use of the Keetch-Byram Drought Index or, when that index is not available, through the use of a comparable measurement that takes ...

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Smoke Detectors

Smoke alarms in Harris County homes are governed by Texas Health and Safety Code Section 766.002 and, for rentals, Texas Property Code Sections 92.251 to 92.262. Section 766.002 requires working smoke detectors in every one- and two-family dwelling per the local building code. Landlords must install at least one alarm in each bedroom and on each level under Property Code Subchapter F.

Harris County Smoke Detector Requirements

Some Restrictions

Texas Health & Safety Code Sec. 766.003 (Smoke Detector Requirements)

Sec. 766.003. INFORMATION RELATING TO FIRE SAFETY AND CARBON MONOXIDE DANGERS. (a) The department shall prepare information of public interest relating to:(1) fire safety in the home; and(2) the dangers of carbon monoxide.(b) The information must inform the public about:(1) ways to prevent fires in the home, and actions to take if a fire occurs in the home;(2) the need to test smoke detectors e...

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Propane Storage

In unincorporated Harris County, an operational fire permit covers LP-gas storage, but homes are exempt if their tank system tops out at 500 gallons water capacity, individually or combined.

Harris County Propane Tank Permit Threshold

Light Restrictions

Harris County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 38 (Fire Code), FC Chapter 1, Sec 105.5.29

105.5.29 LP-gas. An operational permit is required for: 1. Storage and use of LP-gas. Exception: A permit is not required for individual containers with a 500-gallon (1893 L) water capacity or less or multiple container systems having an aggregate quantity not exceeding 500 gallons (1893 L), serving occupancies in Group R-3.

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