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Murfreesboro, TN Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Outdoor burning rules in Murfreesboro, 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

General rule
Open burning banned unless approved
Permit needed for
Silvicultural, wildfire, bonfire burns
Enforcement
Official can order fire extinguished
Permits from
Building & Codes Department

Summary

Murfreesboro bans open burning of any kind unless it's approved under the fire code, and the fire code official can order any fire out whenever weather or conditions make burning hazardous.

(A)General. A person shall not kindle or maintain or authorize to be kindled or maintained any open burning unless conducted and approved in accordance with Murfreesboro City Code Article V, Opening Burning.(1)Prohibited Open Burning. Open burning shall be prohibited when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous. Exception: Prescribed burning for the purpose of reducing the impact of wildland fire when authorized by the fire code official.

Source: Murfreesboro Code of OrdinancesView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 18 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

Under Code § 12-51, no one may kindle, maintain, or authorize open burning unless it's conducted and approved under Article V, and burning is prohibited outright whenever weather or local conditions make it hazardous. A permit from the fire code official is required before burning for silvicultural, range, or wildfire-management practices, disease control, or a bonfire; recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces are addressed separately. The fire code official can order any open burning extinguished if it becomes hazardous or lacks a required permit, and the Building and Codes Department issues burn permits and sets the application fee under § 12-55.

Violations & Fines

Kindling open burning without required approval, ignoring an extinguishment order, or burning during hazardous conditions is punishable under Code § 1-8; the fire code official may cite violators and order the fire put out immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have an open burn pile in Murfreesboro?
Not without approval. Code § 12-51 bans open burning unless conducted and approved under Article V, and hazardous-condition burns are prohibited outright.
Who issues burn permits in Murfreesboro?
The Building and Codes Department issues burn permits and sets the fee, per City Code § 12-55.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Murfreesboro

All Murfreesboro rules

How Murfreesboro compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Murfreesboro to another location·View the Tennessee fire regulations overview

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