How Texas's Burn Permit System Works

Dozens of Texas counties are under active burn bans at any given time, especially during dry spring and fall periods. A burn ban issued by a county judge means no open burning of any kind in that county, regardless of what materials you're burning. Violating a county burn ban escalates your offense from a Class C to a Class A misdemeanor — fines jump from $500 to $4,000. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) also enforces air quality rules on open burning statewide.

Getting a Texas Burn Permit

Seasonal Notes & Burn Bans

Texas burn bans are most common March–May and October–November. During severe drought years, 30+ counties may be under simultaneous bans. The TCEQ also enforces stricter rules in areas near major metro populations (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio) due to air quality.

What You Can Burn in Texas

Natural vegetation, crop residue, brush. No prohibited materials. Agricultural burning is common and generally permitted during non-ban periods. Follow TCEQ rules statewide for prohibited materials.

Never legal to burn anywhere in Texas: Household garbage, treated/painted wood, tires, plastics, construction debris, or hazardous materials.

Frequently Asked Questions — Texas

There is no single statewide Texas burn permit. Rules are county-level. The critical step before any burn: check whether your county is under a burn ban at tfsweb.tamu.edu. If no ban exists, follow your county fire marshal's local rules.

Visit tfsweb.tamu.edu and click the county burn ban map. It shows real-time ban status for all 254 Texas counties. The map updates daily. Some counties maintain year-round bans during severe drought.

Violating a county burn ban is a Class A misdemeanor — up to $4,000 fine and up to one year in jail. This is significantly more serious than burning without authorization when no ban is in effect (Class C, $500 maximum).

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Always verify current rules with Texas A&M Forest Service before burning.