- Home
- Departments
- Fire Marshal
- Outdoor Burning
Outdoor Burning
-
County Judge Bill Gravell has lifted the burn ban for unincorporated areas of Williamson County today, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, effective at 3:30 p.m.
Please be cautious with any outdoor burning activity. Outdoor burning must be conducted under state regulations found in Texas Administrative Code Section 30 TAC 111.219.
Prior to conducting control burns, please take the following steps:
- Please contact your local fire department. Some fire departments may require a Burn Permit.
- Please call and report your control burn to Williamson County Communications at (512) 864-8282. Williamson County Communications should be able to inform you of any burning restrictions that Williamson County Communications has been made aware of and that may exist.
To view the order lifting the burn ban, click here.
The Williamson County Fire Marshal's Office works in coordination with the 17 Fire Departments, Sheriff's Office, Constable's Offices, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to educate county citizens about the outdoor burning regulations and to enforce the state laws governing outdoor burning.
The Fire Marshal's Office does not issue permits for outdoor burning in the unincorporated areas of the county. During drought conditions, the county Fire Marshal can recommend the adoption of a burn ban order in the county, and with Commissioner Court approval, officers of the Constable's Offices can issue citations for any outdoor burning in the county found in violation of a burn ban.
On this page, you will find links to information that is used to determine when a burn ban is recommended. The current burn ban status for the county is listed as well as links to view and download a free booklet titled "A Citizen's Guide to Outdoor Burning". It is available in both English and Spanish. It consolidates the current outdoor burning regulations for the state and Williamson County. Please share the guide with your friends, neighbors, homeowner's association, neighborhood newsletter, etc. to help educate others about outdoor burning.
Even though the Fire Marshal's Office is not the lead agency in regards to enforcing outdoor burning regulations we are part of the county's coordinated response with the agencies listed above. The reduction of air pollution due to outdoor burning is important for all of us. If we respond at the request of one of the agencies listed above to an outdoor burning incident and determine the burning is in violation, we will refer the case to the Williamson County Environmental Officers for possible criminal charges.
If you have any questions regarding outdoor burning please contact our agency. We are here to help you and guide you through the regulations so that you can make the best decision regarding your outdoor burning situation.
The frequently asked questions (FAQs) section addresses the most common issues regarding outdoor burning. The answer to most of the questions can also be found in the free booklet titled "A Citizen's Guide to Outdoor Burning".
Reminder: Incorporated areas of the county (cities) may have ordinances that prohibit outdoor burning within the city limits.
A Citizen’s Guide to Outdoor Burning
- Is outdoor burning allowed in Williamson County?
-
Yes. Outdoor burning in unincorporated Williamson County in general, is legal, if there are no local jurisdiction regulations that prohibit outdoor burning or burn ban restrictions.
- I have burned trash in my burn barrel for many years. Is it illegal?
-
Yes. If you live in an area of the county where waste (trash) collection is available, whether you choose to pay for the service or not outdoor burning of waste in any container is not allowed.
- Can I burn trees, brush, grass, leaves, branch trimmings and other plant growth?
-
Yes. If there are no local jurisdiction regulations that prohibit outdoor burning or burn ban restrictions. They can also be hauled to a landfill or bundled for trash pickup according to the guidelines of your waste collection company.
- I just cleared some private land and have some brush piles to get rid of. Can I burn them?
-
Yes. If your land is in unincorporated Williamson County and there are no local jurisdiction regulations that prohibit outdoor burning and there are no burn ban restrictions. You may also use a practical alternative to burning instead; such as Recycling, Composting, Mechanical Chipping or Mulching, Logging, Landfills, and Air Curtain Incineration (trench burning).
- Is it legal to use a fire pit?
-
Yes. Outdoor burning is allowed for fires used solely for recreational or ceremonial purposes, in the noncommercial preparation of food, or used exclusively for the purpose of supplying warmth during cold weather. However, you may not use a recreational or ceremonial fire to burn waste, trees, brush, grass, leaves, branch trimmings, other plant growth, or any other items that are illegal to burn. The fire must not be a nuisance to others and the person responsible for the burn must be present and remains liable for damages, injuries, or other consequences that may result from burning, even when it is carried out in compliance with these regulations.