Fire pit rules in Cameron County, TX — also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances — cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Residential fire pits are generally allowed in unincorporated Cameron County. During a Commissioners Court burn ban, ground fires are prohibited but residential fire pits and BBQ grills remain permitted. Cities may adopt stricter fire-pit rules within their limits.
The county has no zoning code regulating backyard fire pits, but its burn-ban orders draw the line. Cameron County's outdoor burn ban prohibits ground fires, including burning trash, yard waste, or other materials directly on the ground, yet expressly keeps 'residential fire pits and BBQ grills' permitted. Orders are issued by the Commissioners Court under Local Government Code 352.081 when drought or wildfire-hazard conditions exist. Outside a ban, contained recreational fires in a fire pit are treated as recreational rather than prohibited outdoor burning under TCEQ rules. Always confirm your city's fire code if you are inside municipal limits.
Setting a prohibited ground fire during a burn ban is a Class C misdemeanor under LGC 352.081(h). Fire pits and grills used per the order are exempt.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Cameron County's fire pit rules rules stack up against other locations.
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