Haltom City, TX Fire Regulations: Backyard Fires (2026)

Backyard fires in Haltom City are governed by the locally adopted International Fire Code Section 307 and the citys open-burning prohibitions derived from TCEQ 30 TAC 111.209. Residents may host small recreational fires for warmth, cooking, or social gatherings without a permit when the fuel pile does not exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high, is at least 25 feet from any structure, fence, overhanging tree, or combustible, and uses only dry seasoned firewood, charcoal, or listed manufactured logs. Yard waste, leaves, painted or pressure-treated lumber, construction scraps, tires, plastics, and trash are never allowed. A charged garden hose or 4A fire extinguisher must be on hand, and a competent adult must supervise the fire until it is completely out and the embers are cold. Portable outdoor fireplaces and chimineas must be placed at least 15 feet from structures. When the Tarrant County Commissioners Court enacts a burn ban, all open-flame backyard fires are prohibited, though enclosed gas appliances remain allowed. Complaints from neighbors about smoke can lead to a nuisance citation even when the fire otherwise complies, so residents should consider wind direction, proximity to neighbors with respiratory conditions, and HOA rules.