Small backyard recreational and cooking fires are permitted in unincorporated El Paso County under TCEQ rules, but never during a county burn ban and never for burning household trash near neighbors.
TCEQ rule 30 TAC Sec. 111.207 lets residents have fires 'used solely for recreational or ceremonial purposes, or in the noncommercial preparation of food, or used exclusively for the purpose of supplying warmth.' Backyard trash and yard-waste burning is far more restricted: the general requirements at 30 TAC Sec. 111.219 keep any allowed burning at least 300 feet from adjacent structures, downwind of neighbors, in daylight, and free of prohibited materials. A Commissioners Court burn ban under Loc. Gov't Code Sec. 352.081 overrides all of this during drought. El Paso's dry desert air and gusty winds make even small backyard fires escape-prone, so fires must be attended with water or an extinguisher nearby.
Unpermitted trash burning, an unattended fire, or any fire during a burn ban can lead to TCEQ penalties, a Class C misdemeanor, and full liability for a wildfire that spreads from the property.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how El Paso County's backyard fires rules stack up against other locations.
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