Backyard recreational fires in Memphis are permitted in approved outdoor fireplaces, chimineas, and fire pits under 3 feet in diameter. Open burning of yard waste is generally prohibited inside city limits under Shelby County Health Department air-quality rules.
Memphis follows the International Fire Code Section 307 and Shelby County Health Department open-burning regulations. Recreational fires in chimineas, purpose-built fire pits, or outdoor fireplaces are allowed when the fuel is clean dry firewood or manufactured logs. Fires must be at least 15 feet from structures, property lines, and combustible fencing, and must be attended by an adult with a means of extinguishment on hand. Open burning of leaves, brush, construction debris, and yard waste is prohibited inside the Memphis urbanized boundary under Shelby County Health Department Regulation No. 5 on open burning, which is an EPA-approved SIP provision. Burn barrels are prohibited citywide. Rural Shelby County allows permitted burns with a Tennessee Division of Forestry permit in season. Smoke drift into neighboring properties is actionable as a nuisance even from a legal fire. Memphis Fire responds to out-of-control fires on 911; 311 handles ongoing nuisance smoke complaints.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Memphis code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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