Subject: Storage of Scrap Tires and Tire Byproducts  

Revised April 2025 

Purpose: An operational permit is required for storage of scrap tires and tire byproducts to establish, conduct, or maintain outdoor storage of tires, scrap tires and tire byproducts that exceeds one thousand cubic feet of total volume of scrap tires and for indoor storage of tires and tire byproducts. Storage of scrap tires and tire byproducts operational permits shall be renewed on an annual basis or if the pathway or movement through the plant changes. 

Fees: $300.00 Annually 

Requirements: A Storage of Scrap Tires and Tire Byproducts permit will be issued once an application has been completed appropriately, all applicable documents have been uploaded, reviewed, and approved. 

Applications will be completed electronically, and all required documentation shall be uploaded electronically. There shall be no paper submissions. Permit application shall be completed and submitted through the approved Harris County software program. Once the application is received along with all required documentation, the Fire Code Official will conduct a review. When the permit process is complete, and authorization is given, the applicant will be notified that the permit is issued, and the duration of the permit will be indicated.  

All Storage of Scrap Tires and Tire Byproducts permit applications will begin with generalized information requirements. This information will pertain to the property information/property owner’s information/application information/project name.  

When applying for a Storage of Scrap Tires and Tire Byproducts operational permit the applicant shall provide the following information:  

• Written documentation stating that tires and/or byproducts shall be restricted to individual piles not exceeding 5,000 square feet of continuous area. Piles shall not exceed 50,000 cubic feet in height; 

• Written documentation stating that there is a clear space of least 40 feet between piles. The clear space shall not contain flammable or combustible material or vegetation. Tire and byproduct storage shall not be located within 10 feet of any property line or building and shall not exceed 6 feet in height when within 20 feet of any property line or building; 

• Buildings and structures where the area for the storage of tires and byproducts exceeds 20,000 cubic feet, they shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1; 

• Detail drawing of how the tires are to be stored. (Where tires are stored on-tread, the dimensions of the pile in the direction of the wheel hole shall not be more than 50 feet. Tires and byproducts stored adjacent to or along one wall shall not extend more than 25 feet from that wall. Other piles shall not be more than 50 feet in width); 

• Fire safety plan including provisions for fire department vehicle access; 

• An overall site plan identifying the layout of all fire hydrants on-site, water supply, location of fire extinguishers, and the telephone number of the fire department. 

If one or more of the requested documents does not apply to your location, please submit in writing a reason for not submitting. 

Denial: If it is determined that an application fails to meet the requirements as set forth in this standard or the applicant refuses to provide all required documentation, the fire code official shall not issue a permit, but shall return the application to the applicant with explanation for refusal.  

Revocation: The fire code official is authorized to revoke a permit where it is found that there has been false statements or misrepresentation as to the material facts in the application or supporting documentation on which the approval and issuance was based, the permit was issued to a different person or firm than named on the permit, the permittee failed, refused or neglected to comply with orders or notices duly served in accordance with the provisions of this code within the time provided therein, or the permit was issued in error or in violation of an ordinance, regulation or this code.