Dallas County, TX Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Dallas County, TX, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 38-1(a)
- Core requirement
- Enclosure must contain flames/sparks
- Exempted method
- Trench burning
- Maximum fine
- $1,000
- Ozone-alert restriction
- No open burning permits (Sec. 106-243)
Summary
Unincorporated Dallas County bans burning combustible material outside an enclosure that contains all flames and sparks, so an open fire pit without a screen or containment violates Sec. 38-1. Trench burning is separately exempted; citations carry fines up to $1,000.
(a) A person commits an offense if he or she burns any combustible materials outside an enclosure which serves to contain all flames and/or sparks, or orders such burning by others. Burning of household trash in barrels meeting the county fire marshal's office guidelines, trench burning and charcoal grills are exempt from this restriction. (b) Any violation of this section may result in a citation being issued for a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000.00.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 38-1(a) of the Dallas County Code makes it an offense to burn combustible materials outside an enclosure that serves to contain all flames and sparks, or to order such burning by others. That means a backyard fire pit is legal in the unincorporated county only if it is built or screened to contain flames and sparks entirely within it; an open, unscreened pit that lets sparks escape falls under the general burning offense. The ordinance separately exempts trench burning from the restriction, along with burning household trash in barrels that meet the county fire marshal's office guidelines and using charcoal grills.
The county fire marshal's office also enforces the Dallas County Fire Code, adopted under Sec. org/firemarshal. During a state-issued ozone alert, Sec. 106-243(a)(4) adds a further restriction: the county fire marshal will not issue open burning permits for the unincorporated areas while the alert is in effect, which can affect permitted fire-pit use tied to a burn permit.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 38-1(b) makes any violation of the burning restriction a citable misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000. Each instance of burning outside a spark-containing enclosure can be cited separately by the fire marshal's office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a fire pit in unincorporated Dallas County?
Is trench burning treated differently from a fire pit?
What is the fine for an illegal open fire?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dallas County
How Dallas County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Dallas County to another location·View the Texas fire regulations overview
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