Mesquite, TX Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Mesquite, 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
- General Ban
- Burning trash, leaves, brush, debris prohibited citywide
- Fireworks
- Illegal in city limits; Class C misdemeanor up to $2,000
- Allowed Fires
- Only small recreational and cooking fires allowed
- County Bans
- Dallas County burn bans override recreational fire allowances
- State Rules
- TCEQ rules at 30 TAC 111 also apply
Summary
Open burning of trash, brush, and yard waste is prohibited inside Mesquite city limits; only approved recreational and cooking fires are allowed, plus fireworks are banned.
Sec. 2154.003. PERMISSIBLE FIREWORKS. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), Fireworks 1.4G are permissible fireworks. (b) The following are not permissible fireworks: (1) sky rockets or 'bottle rockets' with: (A) a total propellant charge of less than four grams... and (2) other fireworks determined not acceptable by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Sec. 2154.004. EFFECT OF CHAPTER ON LOCAL REGULATION. (a) A municipal or county ordinance, order, or rule in effect on January 2, 1986, is not invalidated by this chapter. (b) This chapter does not limit or restrict the authority of a county, where specifically authorized by law, or municipality to enact an ordinance or order prohibiting or further regulating fireworks.
Full Breakdown
Mesquite prohibits open burning of household trash, yard waste, leaves, brush, and construction debris within city limits under the adopted International Fire Code and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality rules at 30 TAC Chapter 111. Only the following are permitted: small recreational fires (3 ft x 2 ft) using clean wood, outdoor cooking on grills and approved appliances, and ceremonial fires with Fire Marshal approval. The use, sale, and possession of consumer fireworks is illegal inside Mesquite city limits under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2154 and the city's adopted fire code; violations are a Class C misdemeanor with fines up to $2,000. Residents who burn prohibited materials may face citations from both the city and TCEQ. During Dallas County burn bans (issued during droughts), even recreational fires may be prohibited. Yard waste should be bagged for curbside collection rather than burned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn fallen leaves in my backyard?
Are fireworks legal in Mesquite on July 4th?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mesquite
How Mesquite compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Mesquite to another location·View the Texas fire regulations overview
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Outdoor Burning in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle outdoor burning.