Dallas County, TX Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Burn Permit
- Required (daily, free)
- Setback
- 300 ft from buildings
- Firebreak
- 50 ft cleared
- Attendance
- Adult 18+ on-site with water
- Fire Marshal
- 214-653-7970
Summary
Outdoor burning is prohibited in unincorporated Dallas County unless a daily burn permit is issued by the Dallas County Fire Marshal. Burns must be at least 300 ft from any building, surrounded by a 50-ft firebreak, attended by an adult, and have water on site. The Commissioners Court can declare a county-wide burn ban during drought.
Sec. 352.081. REGULATION OF OUTDOOR BURNING. ... (c) The commissioners court of a county by order may prohibit or restrict outdoor burning in general or outdoor burning of a particular substance in all or part of the unincorporated area of the county if: (1) drought conditions have been determined to exist as provided by Subsection (b); or (2) the commissioners court makes a finding that circumstances present in all or part of the unincorporated area create a public safety hazard that would be exacerbated by outdoor burning. (d) An order adopted under this section must specify the period during which outdoor burning is prohibited or restricted. The period may not extend beyond the 90th day after the date the order is adopted.
Full Breakdown
Dallas County operates the Fire Marshal's Office at 500 Elm Street, Suite 0500, Dallas (214-653-7970), which enforces the adopted Dallas County Fire Code (based on the 2015 IFC) in unincorporated areas. A daily burn permit application must be filed before any outdoor burning, and only dry plant growth natural to the burn site may be burned, household trash, treated wood, tires, and construction debris are prohibited under TCEQ rule 30 TAC 111. Standing conditions: minimum 300 ft setback from any residential, recreational, commercial, or industrial structure; a cleared 50 ft firebreak around the burn pile; constant attendance by a person at least 18 years old; and adequate water and tools on site to control the fire.
The Dallas County Fire Marshal recommends, and the Commissioners Court declares, county-wide burn bans during drought conditions, an active ban suspends all permits. There is no statutory wildland-urban-interface (WUI) zoning map; defensible-space rules are advisory. ), each city's fire code controls.
Violations & Fines
Burning without a permit, during a burn ban, or in violation of setback or attendance rules is a Class C misdemeanor under Tex. H&S Code §382.018 with TCEQ administrative penalties. The Fire Marshal can order immediate extinguishment and refer charges through the county attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn yard debris in unincorporated Dallas County?
Is there a burn ban in Dallas County right now?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dallas County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Dallas County to another location·View the Texas fire regulations overview
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