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Burn Permit Application

Burn Permit Regulations

Massachusetts allows residents to burn brush between January 15 and May 1 inclusive, depending on weather conditions. You must obtain permission from the town in which you plan to burn brush.

  • You may only burn BRUSH! All other materials are illegal. No leaves, grass, hay, stumps, building debris or any other materials are allowed to be burned.
  • All open burning must be a minimum of 75 feet from buildings or structures.
  • Burning will be allowed to start at 10:00am and must be extinguished by 4pm.
  • Any open fire must be attended at all times by the permit holder.
  • No person shall set, maintain or increase a fire in open air at any time except by permission.
  • You must be 18 years or older to apply for a permit and/or set, maintain or increase a fire once permission has been granted by the Fire Department.
  • You must have an appropriate means to extinguish an open air fire completely at the end of the day or if requested by the Fire Department.
  • The Fire Department can refuse or cancel a permit at any time. (Example: Violation of permit regulations, or change in weather conditions.)
  • Open burning season is January 15 - May 1.
  • Massachusetts Regulation 310 CMR: DEP 7.07 "Open Burning"
  • More information from the Massachusetts DEP.

Click here to apply for a burn permit