FAQs • Williamson County, TX • CivicEngage

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.

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Fire Marshal - Outdoor Burning

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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).

5. 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.

6. I am clearing land for a commercial development and need to burn. What do I do?: You would need to contact the local jurisdiction to assure there are no regulations that prohibit outdoor burning and there are no burn ban restrictions. Control burns in the unincorporated areas of Williamson County must be reported to the Williamson County Communications Center. You may also use the practical alternatives; Recycling, Composting, Mechanical Chipping or Mulching, Logging, and Landfills without obtaining a permit.

7. I tore down an old building or shed or replaced my wooden fence. Can I burn these items?: No. The following items are illegal to burn; electrical insulation, treated lumber, plastics, non-wood construction/ demolition materials, heavy oils, asphaltic materials, potentially explosive materials, chemical wastes, and items containing natural or synthetic rubber. They must be disposed of at a recycling center or landfill.

8. I am a farmer and I need to burn my cropland as part of my land management. Can I burn it?: Yes. Crop residue burning is allowed as long as there is no burn ban in place. However, when burning you must follow all of the general requirements for allowable outdoor burning listed in the guide (also listed in the answer to the question: Can I burn my waste, trees, brush, grass, leaves, branch trimmings, and other plant growth that is generated from my property only if there is no burn ban?).

Yes, but there are still some additional rules you must follow. These are the general requirements for allowable outdoor burning:

The party 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.
Burn only outside the corporate limits of a city or town, unless the incorporated city or town has an ordinance that permits burning.
Burn only when the wind direction and weather conditions are such that smoke and other pollutants will not present a hazard to any public road, landing strip, or navigable water body (lake, river, stream, bay) or have an adverse effect on any off-site structure containing "sensitive receptors" (residence, business, farm building, greenhouse).
Keep fires downwind, or at least 300 feet away, from any neighboring structure that contains sensitive receptors. This requirement may be waived with the prior written approval of whoever owns or rents the adjacent property and either resides or conducts business there.
Post someone to flag traffic if the burning causes smoke to blow onto a road or highway at any time.
Begin burning no earlier than one hour after sunrise, end it the same day, and no later than one hour before sunset.
Don't burn electrical insulation, treated lumber, plastics, non-wood construction/ demolition materials, heavy oils, asphaltic materials, potentially explosive materials, chemical wastes, and items containing natural or synthetic rubber.

Remind them about the regulations. Refer them to our website and give them a copy of the guide.
Ask the homeowner's association to send them a letter with a copy of the guide.
Post the guide regularly in your neighborhood newsletter or website.
Call 911 when you see active burning. The fire department will try the good neighbor approach but can also extinguish the fire and request law enforcement.
Call Williamson County Constables Office and report it. They are the lead county agency charged with enforcement of the environmental and nuisance laws.