Nashville, TN Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Nashville, 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
- Status
- Open burning PROHIBITED in Davidson County
- Authority
- EPA air quality regulations + Metro Fire Prevention Code
- No Burn Permits
- Metro does not issue residential burn permits
- Yard Waste Alternative
- Curbside brush pickup 4x/year; NDOT drop-off sites
- State Rule
- TDEC Rule 1200-03-04 also restricts open burning
Summary
Open burning of brush, leaves, and yard waste is prohibited in Davidson County under an EPA regulation in effect since the 1980s. Metro Nashville does not issue burn permits for residential yard waste.
Can I get a burn permit to burn brush or leaves in my yard? No. Residents in Metro Nashville's Urban and General Services Districts have their brush and yard waste collected four times a year on a rotating schedule along 12 routes. Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) also offers free brush disposal at certain locations. See the NDOT website for details on these programs. Can I have a grill on the balcony of my apartment/condominium? For other than one- and two-family dwellings, no hibachi, grill, or other similar device used for cooking, heating, or any other purpose shall be used, stored, or kindled on any balcony, under any overhanging portion, or within 10 feet of any structure. For more information regarding open flame grills on balconies, please visit the Open Flame Grills on Balconies page.
Full Breakdown
An EPA air quality regulation prohibits all open burning in Davidson County to prevent air pollution. Residents cannot obtain a burn permit for yard waste, leaves, or brush. The Nashville Fire Department does not issue open burning permits for residential purposes. Yard waste is collected curbside four times per year through Metro's brush pickup program. Free brush disposal is also available at drop-off sites managed by NDOT. TDEC Rule 1200-03-04 also restricts open burning statewide.
Violations & Fines
Open burning violations cited under fire prevention code; fines apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn yard waste in my backyard in Nashville?
Do I need a permit for outdoor burning in Nashville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nashville
How Nashville compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Nashville to another location·View the Tennessee fire regulations overview
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