Outdoor burning rules in Springdale, AR — 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 inside Springdale requires a burn permit issued by the Springdale Fire Marshal. The Springdale Fire Department applies a strict policy and has stated that no burning is allowed citywide even when Benton County drops its burn ban. Small recreational fires meeting the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code Section 307 rules are the only exception. Washington County frequently issues countywide burn bans (such as the December 2025 ban), during which all permits are suspended.
Springdale regulates outdoor burning through three overlapping layers. (1) Local - Chapter 46 (Fire Prevention and Protection) of the Springdale Municipal Code, enforced by the Springdale Fire Department (479-751-4510), prohibits open burning anywhere within city limits without a Burn Permit issued by the Fire Marshal. Permit applications are submitted through the city's online form at the Fire Department's Burn Permit page; large burns require a site inspection by the Fire Marshal's Office. (2) State - the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (2021 edition, based on the 2021 IFC) Section 307 (Open Burning, Recreational Fires and Portable Outdoor Fireplaces) prohibits open burning unless approved by the local fire official, with the recreational-fire and portable-outdoor-fireplace exceptions in Section 307.4. (3) State environmental - the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Regulation No. 18 (Arkansas Air Pollution Control Code) restricts the open burning of materials likely to produce smoke or air contaminants. Springdale takes a notably stricter local position than its surrounding counties: in January 2026, the Springdale Fire Department publicly announced that no burning was allowed inside the city even though Benton County had dropped its burn ban. Washington County issued a countywide burn ban effective December 25, 2025 that remained in place pending significant rainfall. All Springdale burn permits are automatically suspended during any active Washington County or Benton County burn ban or whenever winds exceed 15 mph. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture Forestry Division may also issue statewide burning restrictions during the Spring (February-May) and Fall (October-December) fire seasons.
Open burning without a Springdale Fire Marshal permit, or burning during an active burn ban, is enforced by the Springdale Fire Department and Police Department. Under the Springdale Code general penalty, fines run up to $500 per offense plus up to 30 days in jail per A.C.A. Section 14-55-504, with each day of continuing violation chargeable separately. Arkansas DEQ can separately assess civil penalties up to $10,000 per day per violation under A.C.A. Section 8-4-103 of the Arkansas Water and Air Pollution Control Act. Causing a wildfire or property damage may also lead to criminal arson liability under A.C.A. Section 5-38-301 (Class A misdemeanor through Class A felony depending on damage).
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