Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Washoe County, NV Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Outdoor burning rules in Washoe County, NV, 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

Permit
Required for all open burning
Burn window
First 7 days of month only
Burn hours
Sunrise to noon
Pile limit
4 ft diameter, 6 ft high
Summer status
Closed for the season

Summary

All open burning in the Truckee Meadows Fire district requires a TMFPD permit and is closed for the season during summer. When open, burn hours are sunrise to noon, only the first 7 days of the month, with no visible smoke after 1 p.m.

City-specific rules exist: Reno has its own outdoor burning rules that differ from Washoe County's county-level regulations. If you live in Reno, check the city-specific page instead.

All open burning requires a permit from the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. Open burning can only be conducted the first 7 days of the month, when conditions allow. Burn hours are sunrise to Noon, with no visible smoke after 1 p.m.

Full Breakdown

TMFPD requires a permit for all open burning and administers pile burning under Nevada air-quality rules. Burning is closed for the season in summer (reopens in fall). When permitted, open burning may only occur the first 7 days of the month when conditions allow, during burn hours of sunrise to noon, with no visible smoke after 1 p.m. Piles must be no more than 4 feet in diameter and 6 feet high. Prohibited materials include rubbish, tires, treated lumber, particle board, railroad ties, plastics, flammable liquids, foam, and rubber. The Fire Chief, Fire Code Official, or Washoe County Air Quality Management can enact a burn restriction or ban at any time.

Violations & Fines

Burning without a permit, during a ban, or of prohibited materials is subject to citation and abatement by TMFPD and Washoe County Air Quality Management enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I burn yard waste in the summer?
No. Open burning is closed for the season in summer and reopens in fall. Even when open, it is limited to the first 7 days of the month during permitted burn hours.
What can't I burn?
Rubbish, tires, treated lumber, particle board, railroad ties, plastics, flammable liquids, foam, and rubber are prohibited; only natural vegetation may be burned.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Washoe County

All Washoe County rules

How Washoe County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Washoe County to another location·View the Nevada fire regulations overview

Get notified when Outdoor Burning in Washoe County, NV changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Outdoor Burning in Cities Across Washoe County