Can I burn leaves and yard waste in Tarrant County See what city and state law says

Even though the daily temperature doesn’t always feel like it, fall is in full effect.

With the shift from summer comes the recognizable scene of colorful fallen leaves piled in yards across Fort Worth neighborhoods.

Because leaves can be difficult or time-consuming to remove, some homeowners might consider hiring a landscaper to do the job or even burning them.

But are you allowed to set fire to leaves within Tarrant County?

Many environmental experts recommend against bagging leaves, as the filled plastic bags often end up in landfills, NPR reported. Alternatives include mowing thin layers of leaves so they don’t stifle light to your grass and raking leaves into landscape beds so they turn into mulch, but some people prefer to burn their leaves.

In addition to legal questions, government officials recommend considering safety factors such as dry weather and windy conditions when deciding whether to burn leaves.

Here’s what to know about ordinances concerning burning leaves and other yard debris in Tarrant County.

Is it legal to burn leaves in Tarrant County?

The Tarrant County Commissioner’s Office has certain guidelines in place for those who do want to participate in outdoor burning. They recommend that you call the Tarrant County Regional Communication Center, 817-232-980, to register your address and learn about the allowable burn days. Here are guidelines from Tarrant County, which apply to those who live in unincorporated areas of the county:

• Wind speed must be under 23 mph.
• The person who started the fire must be present for the entirety of the burn with water ready and a phone in hand. Burning must happen during the day between these times: one hour after sunrise, and one hour before sunset.
• Any fire must be lit 300 feet from the nearest neighboring structures or road.
• Burn must be downwind of the nearby structures and road.
• Only brush, tree limbs, grass clippings or leaves generated from your property can be burned.
• No chemicals, construction material, or heavy oils are allowed in the burn.
• A prescribed burn must have a permit and county approval. Under any burn ban, gas-fired stoves and fire pits are allowed to operate. North Texans don’t have to give up their grill in a drought.
• As long as flames are in an enclosed, contained area with water or a fire extinguisher nearby, you are clear.

Are you permitted to burn leaves in Arlington?

According to the Arlington Fire Marshal’s Office, it is not legal to burn any yard waste, including leaves and debris, for the purpose of disposal within city limits, per city ordinance.

What does Fort Worth say about burning leaves?

The City of Fort Worth website advises that “burning leaves is not allowed in most Fort Worth residential areas.”

The resulting smoke negatively affects the quality of air we breathe and can be a safety hazard, particularly in dry, windy weather, the city’s website said.

Those who live in other incorporated areas should check with their city first before deciding to burn yard waste or leaves.

What does Texas law say about burning leaves?

According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Health and Quality, “burning of waste may be conducted at private residence housing (not more than three families)if the local government entity does not provide or authorize the collection of domestic waste by the local government and waste only comes from that specific property (30 Texas Admin. Code §111.209(1)).”

Domestic waste includes “wastes normally resulting from the function of life within a residence,” including kitchen garbage, untreated lumber, cardboard boxes, packaging, clothing, grass and leaves,” TECQ said.

Texas Commission on Environmental Health and Quality indicated in certain instances that trees, brush, grass, leaves, branch trimmings, or other plant growth may be burned—provided that the burning occurs on land where the waste was generated and the burn is done by the owner of the property or someone authorized to do so by the land’s owner.

However, if the county in which the burn will occur has attained national ambient air quality standards, this limitation does not exist and any material from trees, brush, grass, leaves, branch trimmings, or other plant growth may be burned, TECQ said.

This story was originally published November 11, 2024 at 2:00 PM.