Outdoor Burning Regulations

Rules
  • ONLY dry plant growth natural to the burn site can be burned.
  • You may not burn inside city limits unless you have been issued a burn permit.
  • A burn permit must be obtained by submitting a burn permit application to the specific city you reside in.
  • The burn site must be at least 300 feet from any residential, recreational, commercial or industrial area, except if located on the property where the burn is to take place.
  • There must be a fire break of 50 feet around the material to be burned.
  • A competent person of at least 18 years of age must be in attendance of the site during the burn.
  • An adequate supply of water to control the burn is required at the site.
  • If complaints are received and the complaint is valid (to be determined by the Fire Marshal, Fire Department or Law Enforcement Officer), burning will have to cease.
  • Hours of burning are from sunrise to sunset as set forth by the United States Naval Observatory tables available from the National Weather Service.
  • Hauling of materials, brush or vegetation onto the site from another property will render this permit invalid.
  • NO Burn Days are determined as follows:
    • Wind is or expected to be below 5 mph or above 21 mph
    • Ozone Action Day has been issued for the DFW area
    • If Rockwall County inacts a "Burn Ban" on all outdoor burning
Materials & Items that Absolutely Cannot Be Burned
  • Petroleum products
  • Asphaltic materials
  • Items containing natural or synthetic rubber
  • Lumber
  • Household garbage / refuse (including newspapers and boxes)
Authorization to conduct outdoor burning does not exempt or excuse a person from the responsibility, consequences, damages, or injuries resulting from the authorized burning and does not excuse a
person from complying with other applicable laws, ordinances or regulations.

Prior to burning, please call the Rockwall County Fire Marshal’s Office for more information

Rockwall County Fire Marshal’s Office

Phone: (972) 204-7270