Richardson, TX Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Richardson, 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
- Open burning
- Prohibited outright, Section 307.1.1
- Bonfires
- Prohibited outright, Section 307.4.1
- County burn ban
- Auto-extends to Richardson (Collin/Dallas)
- Firepit clearance
- 10 feet from structure/combustibles
- Extinguisher requirement
- Minimum 4-A rating, must be on-site
Summary
Richardson's Fire Code amendments prohibit open burning and bonfires outright citywide, extend any Collin or Dallas County burn ban into the city automatically, and let the fire code official order any open burning extinguished.
Section 307.1.1 of the International Fire Code is amended to read as follows: 307.1.1 Prohibited Open Burning. Open burning is prohibited. Section 307 of the International Fire Code is amended to add section 307.1.2 as follows: 307.1.2 Burn Ban. When the County Commissioner's Court of either Collin or Dallas County adopts a burn ban order to prohibit outdoor burning in the unincorporated areas of the county, the ordered burn ban shall extend to include the incorporated areas of the City of Richardson within the respective county. This includes any burning addressed in Sections 307 and 308 unless otherwise approved by the Fire Code Official.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 35 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 8-28 amends the adopted International Fire Code, 2021 Edition, for Richardson. 1 states plainly that open burning is prohibited, with no seasonal or permit exception written into the amendment. 2 ties the city to county-level burn bans: when the Commissioner's Court of either Collin or Dallas County adopts a burn ban for the unincorporated county, that ban automatically extends into the incorporated areas of Richardson within the respective county, covering any burning addressed in IFC Sections 307 and 308, unless the fire code official approves otherwise.
This matters because Richardson straddles both counties, so a burn ban from either commissioners court reaches city residents. 3 gives the fire code official authority to order the property owner, another responsible person, or the fire department itself to extinguish any open burning. 5 requires any recreational fire or outdoor fireplace to be constantly attended with a portable fire extinguisher rated at least 4-A, or equivalent extinguishing material such as dirt, sand, a water barrel, garden hose or water truck, on hand until it is fully out.
Violations & Fines
Open burning of any kind is prohibited under amended Section 307.1.1, and bonfires are separately and flatly banned under Section 307.4.1, with no exception built into either provision. The fire code official can order any open burning extinguished by the property owner, another responsible person, or the fire department under Section 307.3. An unattended recreational fire, or one lacking the required 4-A extinguisher or equivalent extinguishing material on site, violates Section 307.5, and a permanent outdoor firepit built closer than ten feet to a structure or combustible material violates Section 307.4.4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn leaves or debris in my Richardson yard?
Does a Dallas County or Collin County burn ban apply inside Richardson?
Can I have a fire pit or bonfire in my backyard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richardson
How Richardson compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Richardson 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.