Lubbock, TX Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Lubbock, 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
- City Limits
- Open burning prohibited
- County Rule
- TCEQ 30 TAC Section 111.219
- Setback
- 300 ft from neighbor structures
- Burn Ban Fine
- Up to 500 dollars
- Hours
- 1 hr after sunrise to 1 hr before sunset
Summary
Outdoor burning inside Lubbock city limits is generally prohibited. Outside city limits, burning follows TCEQ 30 TAC Section 111.219 and any active Lubbock County burn ban. Burning trash, tires, or construction debris is never allowed.
outdoor burning.
• Exceptions that allow outdoor burning.
• Notification requirements for allowable outdoor burning. Appendices contain a copy of the Outdoor Burning Rule, notification requirements, and additional resources.
Limitations of This Guide commissioners court may issue a ban on outdoor burning that is applicable to unincorporated portions of This document does not include the requirements of the county. TCEQ does not set or regulate outdoor burn other governmental agencies and local authorities bans put in place by local authorities. (cities or counties). Local authorities and governmental agencies may implement additional restrictions on In addition, Texas criminal statutes specify penalties that outdoor burning
Full Breakdown
Within Lubbock city limits, Code of Ordinances Chapter 14 prohibits open burning except for permitted recreational fires in approved devices and limited small cooking fires. Burning leaves, yard waste, trash, or construction debris inside the city is banned year-round. In unincorporated Lubbock County, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) governs through 30 TAC Section 111.219, which allows some agricultural, land-clearing, and domestic waste burning provided: burning occurs more than 300 feet from neighbor structures, between 1 hour after sunrise and 1 hour before sunset, wind speeds are 6-23 mph, no actively forming inversion is present, and only natural vegetation is burned. Lubbock County Commissioners Court regularly issues 90-day burn bans during dry periods under Texas Local Government Code Section 352.081. Check the Texas A&M Forest Service burn ban map before burning. Violations are prosecuted by TCEQ and the Sheriff.
Violations & Fines
Inside city: Class C misdemeanor, up to 2,000 dollar fine. Outside city during burn ban: up to 500 dollar fine under TLGC 352.081. TCEQ violations can reach 10,000 dollars per day per rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn leaves in my Lubbock backyard?
How do I check if a burn ban is in effect?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lubbock
How Lubbock compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Lubbock to another location·View the Texas fire regulations overview
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