Galveston County, TX Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Galveston County, TX, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- County zoning
- None; treated as outdoor burning
- Burn ban
- Suspends recreational fires
- Protected-building buffer
- 600 feet (fireworks)
- Trash burning
- Prohibited by TCEQ
- Cities
- Fire code governs
Summary
Backyard recreational fires are allowed in unincorporated Galveston County when no burn ban is active. State law bars igniting fireworks or open flames within 600 feet of churches, schools, and hospitals, and cities restrict open fires citywide.
explode or ignite fireworks within 600 feet of any church, a hospital other than a veterinary hospital, an asylum, a licensed child care center, or a public or private primary or secondary school or institution of higher education unless the person receives authorization in writing from that organization
Full Breakdown
The county cannot zone backyard activity, so a small recreational fire on unincorporated land is treated as outdoor burning: legal only when no commissioners-court burn ban is in effect and within TCEQ limits. Household trash burning is prohibited. Texas Occupations Code 2154.251 additionally forbids igniting fireworks within 600 feet of a church, hospital, licensed child-care center, or school without written permission, a distance rule residents should respect for any open flame near those uses. Inside Galveston, League City, and Texas City, the adopted fire code governs recreational fires, spacing from structures, and attendance requirements.
Violations & Fines
Burning during a burn ban is a Class C misdemeanor (up to $500). Fireworks near protected buildings and city fire-code breaches draw separate citations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a bonfire in my backyard?
What does the 600-foot rule cover?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Galveston County
How Galveston County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Galveston County to another location·View the Texas fire regulations overview
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