Denton, TX Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Denton, TX, 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
- Recreational fires
- Banned inside city limits
- Open burning setback
- 300 feet from structures
- Bonfire setback
- 300 feet unless in barbecue pit
- Small pile exception
- 25 ft if under 3 ft wide
- Max fine
- $2,000 per violation
Summary
Denton bans recreational fires citywide and sets a strict 300-foot setback for any open burning or bonfire under its amended Fire Code, on top of any county-level TCEQ burn ban.
307.4 Location. The location for open burning shall not be less than 300 feet (91,440 mm) from any structure, and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading to within 300 feet (91,440 mm) of any structure.
Exceptions:
1.Fires in approved containers that are not less than 15 feet (4572 mm) from a structure.2.The minimum required distance from a structure shall be 25 feet (7620 mm) where the pile size is 3 feet (914 mm) or less in diameter and 2 feet (610 mm) or less in height.8.Section 307.4.1 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: 307.4.1 Bonfires. A bonfire shall not be conducted within 300 feet (91,440 mm) of a structure or combustible material unless the fire is contained in a barbecue pit. Conditions that could cause a fire to spread within 300 feet (91,440 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.
9.Section 307.4.2 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: 307.4.2 Recreational fires. Recreational fires are prohibited within the incorporated city limits of Denton, Texas.
10.Section 311.5 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 37 Update 1 | Development Code: Supplement 27).
Full Breakdown
Denton rewrote IFC Section 307.4 through 307.4.2 in its local Fire Code. Open burning must stay at least 300 feet from any structure (25 feet if the pile is under 3 feet wide and 2 feet tall), bonfires need the same 300-foot clearance unless contained in a barbecue pit, and recreational fires are banned outright inside the incorporated city limits: regardless of whether Denton County has an active TCEQ outdoor burn ban in effect.
Violations & Fines
Fire safety violations carry up to a $2,000 fine under the Code's general penalty section, with each day of a continuing violation charged as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a backyard fire pit in Denton?
Does a county burn ban add to this?
What about burning brush or trash?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denton
How Denton compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Denton to another location·View the Texas fire regulations overview
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Outdoor Burning in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Denton County handle outdoor burning.