Outdoor burning rules in Sumner County, 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.
Outdoor burning in Sumner County requires a Tennessee Division of Forestry permit from October 15 to May 15 for leaf and debris piles. Burning household garbage, tires, and treated wood is always prohibited, and city limits are more restrictive.
From October 15 through May 15, anyone burning leaf piles or woody debris in Sumner County must obtain a free burn permit from the Tennessee Division of Forestry, available at BurnSafeTN.org or 877-350-BURN. Permits set safe conditions and may be denied on high-risk days. Burning household garbage, tires, plastics, and treated or painted wood is banned year-round under TDEC open-burning rules. Contained recreational fires and small barrel fires under a screen are exempt. Gallatin, Hendersonville, and Portland restrict or prohibit open burning within city limits, so suburban residents should rely on curbside brush and yard-waste collection or a convenience center instead.
Burning without a required permit is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine not to exceed $50. TDEC open-burning violations carry far steeper civil penalties.
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See how Sumner County's outdoor burning rules stack up against other locations.
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