Fire Regulations in Travis County, TX (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Travis County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Backyard recreational fires in unincorporated Travis County must comply with TCEQ 30 TAC 111.219 and active Commissioners Court burn bans. Wood fires require 25-foot clearance, continuous attendance, water/extinguisher, and prohibited during burn bans. Propane chimineas and gas fire pits exempt from burn bans and recommended in WUI areas.
Fire: Backyard Fires
Some RestrictionsTCEQ — Outdoor Burning (30 TAC Ch. 111, Subch. B)
Outdoor Burning Information and resources for outdoor burning in Texas. [...] Outdoor Burning Brochure Answers to Some Burning Questions-Do's and Don'ts for Outdoor Burning at Your Residence Small Business and Local Government Assistance Home Air Compliance Resources
Outdoor Burning
Outdoor burning in unincorporated Travis County is governed by TCEQ 30 TAC 111.219 and Commissioners Court burn ban orders. Burn bans are in effect most summers (typically May-October) when KBDI exceeds 575. Burning household garbage, construction debris, and wire insulation is prohibited year-round. Permits required for land-clearing burns.
Fire: Outdoor Burning
Light RestrictionsTCEQ — Outdoor Burning (30 TAC Ch. 111, Subch. B)
Outdoor Burning Information and resources for outdoor burning in Texas. [...] Outdoor Burning Brochure Answers to Some Burning Questions-Do's and Don'ts for Outdoor Burning at Your Residence Small Business and Local Government Assistance Home Air Compliance Resources
Wildfire Zones
Unincorporated Travis County requires every new subdivision to have two independent access streets connecting to different external roads. A single access street is allowed only if the road avoids high-wildfire-rated land and meets strict width and length limits, tying wildfire risk directly to plat approval.
Travis County Wildfire-Zone Subdivision Road Rule
Some RestrictionsTravis County Code Sec. 482.202(e) (Layout Requirements for Street and Drainage, Dual Access)
a new subdivision must have at least two access streets; and each of the two access streets must connect to a different external street. A new subdivision may have one access street if the County Executive determines that: the access street: does not cross an area having a high wildland fire protection rating determined in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association Bulletin NFPA 2...
Smoke Detectors
Smoke detector requirements follow Texas Property Code Ch. 92 for rental dwellings (landlord must install and maintain one in each bedroom and hallway). Owner-occupied homes in unincorporated Travis County have no county-level requirement, but state fire code encourages compliance. STR operators must meet TX 2015 IRC smoke alarm standards.
Fire: Smoke Detectors
Light RestrictionsTex. Prop. Code Sec. 92.254-92.255
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 smoke alarm to provide alarms for more than one bedroom, the landlord shall comply with recognized standards regarding placement... Sec. 92.254. SMOKE ALARM. (a) A smoke alarm must be: (1) des...
Fire Regulations by City in Travis County
2 cities in Travis County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Travis County ordinances
See every category we cover for Travis County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Travis County Ordinance Hub →