Can I burn leaves, brush or trash in my yard in Bellaire?
Short answer: Almost never. A bonfire or rubbish fire on private land must be "not less than 50 feet from any structure," or be in an approved closed-top waste burner at least 15 feet from any structure. Burning is allowed only from one hour after sunrise until one hour before sunset, and some materials may never be burned.
The basic rule
It is unlawful "to light or have lighted any fire in any street, alley, square, thoroughfare, public or private place outside any building." The same sentence bars building a fire or depositing "hot ashes or embers" or doing "anything on premises liable to cause fire in the surrounding buildings." The section has an exception for tar or asphalt barrel fires that are properly located, enclosed and approved by the fire chief. Rule: City Code Sec. 13-81.
Bonfires and rubbish fires on private land
No one may "kindle or maintain any bonfire or rubbish fire" on private land unless one of two things is true: 1. "The location is not less than 50 feet from any structure and adequate provision is made to prevent fire from spreading to within 50 feet of any structure." 2. "The fire is contained in an approved waste burner with closed top, located safely not less than 15 feet from any structure."
Whether a lot can meet the 50-foot test depends on where every structure sits, including your neighbors'. The code does not say who approves a burner. Ask the Fire Marshal first. Rule: City Code Sec. 13-82.
Hours
"No burning shall be permitted before one hour after sunrise nor after one hour before sunset." Rule: City Code Sec. 13-89.
When the fire chief says no
The fire chief or fire marshal "may prohibit any or all bonfires and outdoor rubbish fires when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such outdoor fires hazardous." Rule: City Code Sec. 13-83.
What you may never burn
It is unlawful to burn "junk autos, oil tanks, barrels, oil waste, vehicle tires, animal, fruit or vegetable matter or any other waste material which emits obnoxious smoke or odors." Rule: City Code Sec. 13-90.
You also may not "kindle a fire upon the land of another without permission of the owner." Rule: City Code Sec. 13-84.
Leaves and brush
The burning rules do not use the words "leaves" or "brush." They cover a "bonfire or rubbish fire." We did not find a sentence saying yard trimmings count or do not count as rubbish, so ask the Fire Department before burning any yard waste. The code defines "brush" in the weeds article as "all uncultivated shrubs, bushes, and small trees" (Sec. 22-45).
Fire pits and grills
The burning division does not mention fire pits, barbecue grills or cookers. Section 13-81 is worded broadly ("any fire ... outside any building"). Bellaire has also adopted the 2024 edition of the International Fire Code (Sec. 13-23), which has its own rules for outdoor fires. We did not read that code. Before you build a fire pit or use a wood-burning cooker, ask the Fire Marshal.
Other flame rules in the same division: a person using a torch to remove paint must keep "one approved fire extinguisher or water hose" ready and stay one hour after (Sec. 13-85), and thawing pipes with a flame inside walls, attics, garages or foundations is banned (Sec. 13-86). Your deed restrictions or HOA may be stricter.
What happens if you don't
The burning sections set no fine of their own. Violations of the adopted fire code are a misdemeanor under Sec. 13-25, and the general rule applies: a fine of up to $2,000, because these are fire-safety rules, and each day counts as a new offense (Secs. 13-25 and 1-10). The legal basis is Texas Local Government Code Sec. 54.001.
Who to call
Bellaire Fire Department and Fire Marshal.
Sources
- City of Bellaire Code of Ordinances, Secs. 13-81 to 13-90 (burning, Chapter 13). library.municode.com/tx/bellaire
- City of Bellaire Code of Ordinances, Secs. 13-23 and 13-25 (fire code and violations). library.municode.com/tx/bellaire
- City of Bellaire Code of Ordinances, Sec. 22-45 (definition of brush). library.municode.com/tx/bellaire
- City of Bellaire Code of Ordinances, Sec. 1-10 (general penalty). library.municode.com/tx/bellaire
- Texas Local Government Code, Sec. 54.001 (maximum fines for city ordinances). statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/LG/htm/LG.54.htm
En español
Casi nunca. Una fogata o fuego de basura en una propiedad privada debe estar "a no menos de 50 pies de cualquier estructura", o estar dentro de un quemador de desechos aprobado, con tapa cerrada, a por lo menos 15 pies de cualquier estructura (Sec. 13-82). Si un lote cumple los 50 pies depende de dónde estén todas las estructuras, incluidas las de sus vecinos. El código no dice quién aprueba un quemador; consulte primero con el Fire Marshal.
Solo se puede quemar desde una hora después del amanecer hasta una hora antes del atardecer (Sec. 13-89). El jefe de bomberos puede prohibir los fuegos cuando haya peligro (Sec. 13-83). Nunca se pueden quemar llantas, autos viejos, barriles, desechos de aceite, materia animal, frutas o vegetales ni otros desechos que produzcan humo u olor ofensivo (Sec. 13-90). Tampoco se puede encender fuego en terreno ajeno sin permiso (Sec. 13-84).
El código no menciona hojas ni ramas en estas reglas, ni parrillas ni fogatas decorativas. Bellaire adoptó la edición 2024 del Código Internacional de Incendios, que no revisamos. Antes de quemar o instalar un pozo de fuego, consulte con el Departamento de Bomberos y el Fire Marshal.
Las secciones no fijan una multa propia. Se aplica la regla general: hasta $2,000, porque son reglas de seguridad contra incendios, y cada día cuenta como una nueva infracción (Secs. 13-25 y 1-10). La base legal es la Sec. 54.001 del Código de Gobierno Local de Texas. Las reglas de su asociación de vecinos pueden ser más estrictas.