Takoma Park, MD Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)

Takoma Park, located in the mid-Atlantic climate of suburban Maryland, is not designated as a wildfire hazard zone and does not have the formal defensible-space brush clearance mandates found in western states. However, Montgomery County regulations (COMAR 26.11.07 and MoCo Code Chapter 3) prohibit the burning of green brush, dried plant life, leaves, lawn thatch, and garden trimmings. All yard waste must be disposed of through alternative means. Takoma Park provides curbside yard waste collection on a regular schedule, and residents can also bring yard waste to Montgomery County transfer stations. The city encourages composting as an alternative to disposal. Property maintenance standards under the Takoma Park municipal code require property owners to maintain their lots in a manner that does not create fire hazards, nuisance conditions, or harbor vermin. Overgrown vegetation that creates a safety concern may be addressed through Code Enforcement. The city is heavily wooded, particularly along Sligo Creek Trail and in many residential neighborhoods, and maintaining clearance around structures is good practice even without a formal mandate. Agricultural debris burning requires a permit and must occur at least 1,500 feet from occupied buildings, though this rarely applies within Takoma Park city limits.