Burn Permit Information

Update to Open Burning Permit Requirements

Effective February 4, 2026

Per City Ordinance Section 9-4(13)

Effective February 4, 2026, and in accordance with City Ordinance Section 9-4(13), open burning permits will only be issued for the following purposes:

• Recognized silvicultural practices
• Range or wildlife management practices
• Prevention or control of disease or pests
• Bonfires

Open burning permits will not be issued for any purposes outside of these approved categories.

General Requirements

• The fire must be attended at all times.
  
• Adequate means of extinguishment or control must be provided on site. At a minimum, one portable fire extinguisher with a 4-A rating shall be available, or other approved equipment such as:
  

• Dirt or sand
• Water barrel
• Garden hose
• Water truck
• Earth-mover

• A means of contacting the fire department must be available at the site during the burn.

Materials Allowed and Prohibited

Allowed:

• Trees and brush only

Prohibited (may not be burned):

• Electrical insulation
• Treated lumber
• Plastics
• Non-wood construction/demolition materials
• Heavy oils
• Asphaltic materials
• Potentially explosive materials
• Chemical wastes
• Items containing rubber

Ignition:

• Do not use flammable or combustible liquids to start the fire.
• Use paper, kindling, or a road flare to ignite the burn.

Time and Weather Restrictions

• Burning may begin no earlier than one hour after sunrise.
  
• Burning must be completed on the same day, no later than one hour before sunset.
  
• Burning shall not be conducted when surface wind speeds are predicted to be:
  
• Less than 6 mph, or
• Greater than 23 mph during the burn period.
• Burning will not be authorized when weather conditions increase the risk of fire spread (e.g., heat advisories, red flag warnings, ozone action days, etc.).
  
• Be prepared to extinguish the fire immediately if wind conditions change or weather deteriorates.
  
• The permit must remain in the custody of the person attending the fire.

Distance and Location Requirements

Minimum separation distances must be maintained as follows:

• 300 feet from any building not owned by the permit holder
• 100 feet from any building
• 50 feet from any overhead power or communication line
• 100 feet from any pipeline easement

You must notify the Victoria Fire Marshal’s Office at 361-485-3460 each day prior to conducting the burn.

Permit Authority, Revocation, and Extinguishment

The Victoria Fire Marshal’s Office reserves the right to approve or deny any burn permit request based on factors including, but not limited to:

• Location
• Weather conditions
• Adjacent property use
• Potential for smoke to obstruct roadways
• Hazardous conditions
• Environmental impacts

If complaints are received, or if any of the above requirements or permit conditions are not met, the permit may be revoked.

If any permit conditions or regulatory requirements are not followed, the Victoria Fire Marshal’s Office has the authority to order that the fire be immediately extinguished.

Applicant Responsibility

Please review your planned activities carefully to ensure they meet one of the permitted purposes before applying for an open burning permit. If you have questions about whether your activity qualifies under City Ordinance Section 9-4(13), please contact the Victoria Fire Marshal’s Office at 361-485-3460 or fmo@victoriatx.gov for clarification.

Authorization to conduct outdoor burning does not release any person from responsibility for, or the consequences of, any resulting damages or injuries. It also does not exempt any person from complying with all other applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations.