Chattanooga, TN Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Chattanooga, TN, also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance, set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Key Facts
- Governing rule
- Sec. 4-41, Rule 6 (Chapter 4)
- Permit fee
- $75 non-refundable application fee
- Burn season
- October 1 – April 30 only
- Pile size limit
- 8 ft x 8 ft x 8 ft max
- Setback
- 100 ft from nearest structure
Summary
Chattanooga bans open burning citywide except under a paid Rule 6.3 permit, a narrow Rule 6.4 exemption, or Rule 6.5 written approval: enforced jointly by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Board under Chapter 4 of the city code.
No person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit open burning except as provided in Rule 6.3, 6.4, and 6.5. No person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit controlled burning except as provided in Rule 6.6. No person shall fail or refuse to take all reasonable and necessary steps and precautions to prevent open or controlled burning upon any premises owned, occupied or under the control of such person. No person shall fail or refuse to take all reasonable and necessary steps and precautions to extinguish or otherwise terminate and abate any open or controlled burning which has originated through any cause whatsoever upon any premises owned, occupied or under the control of such person or upon premises upon which such person is carrying out any operation or activity.
Rule 6.2. No person shall conduct a salvage operation by open burning.
Rule 6.3. Open Burning. Open burning of vegetation and raw, untreated, non-manufactured wood materials, thoroughly dried to facilitate efficient combustion while minimizing smoke caused by naturally occurring moisture contained in vegetative materials ("clean wood materials") may be permitted only in the months of October, November, December, January, February, March and April, provided that the following conditions are met:
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 40 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Chattanooga's Air Pollution Control Regulations (Sec. 4-41, Rule 6) prohibit all open burning and controlled burning within the city unless it falls under a specific rule. Rule 6.3 permits burning clean, dried vegetation and untreated wood only from October through April, with a $75 non-refundable application fee, a required inspection, pile limits of 8x8x8 feet set back 100 feet from the nearest structure, and fixed daily burn windows. Rule 6.2 separately bans open burning conducted as a salvage operation outright, with no permit path. Enforced by the joint Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Board.
Violations & Fines
A misdemeanor: $50 per violation in city court, plus board-imposed civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation. Each day of continuing violation counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn yard debris in my backyard in Chattanooga?
Is burning trash or salvage material allowed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chattanooga
How Chattanooga compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Chattanooga to another location·View the Tennessee fire regulations overview
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