Hamilton County, TN Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Hamilton 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.
Key Facts
- Ban season
- May 1 – Sept. 30 (no burning)
- Burn season
- October through April
- County permit fee
- $15 (unincorporated)
- Max pile size
- 8 ft x 8 ft x 8 ft
- Max penalty
- Up to $25,000 per day
Summary
Open burning of yard brush is banned county-wide from May 1 through Sept. 30. During the October–April season you need a permit from the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau. County permits are $15; city permits $75.
Burn piles shall not be larger than 8′ x 8′ x 8′. Material to be burned is limited to 12 inches in diameter. ... Non-compliance with any of the above conditions could result in civil penalties up to $25,000 per day.
Full Breakdown
The APCB regulates open burning for the whole county. Legal burning is limited to the months of October through April, and only for clean, raw, untreated wood and natural vegetation. Burn piles cannot exceed 8 feet by 8 feet by 8 feet, and material is limited to 12 inches in diameter. Paper, cardboard, plywood, treated or painted wood, plastics, tires, roofing, and household garbage may never be burned. A permit costs $15 in unincorporated county areas and $75 inside cities such as Chattanooga. A separate Tennessee Division of Forestry permit is required Oct. 15–Apr. 30 for burning within 500 feet of woodland.
Violations & Fines
Non-compliance with the burn conditions could result in civil penalties up to $25,000 per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I legally burn brush in Hamilton County?
What am I not allowed to burn?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hamilton County
How Hamilton County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Hamilton County to another location·View the Tennessee fire regulations overview
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