Burn permits and fire pits in Freeport, Maine
We found no Freeport rules on brush burning, backyard fire pits, or burn permits in the ordinances we reviewed. The town has adopted the NFPA 1 Fire Code, which is enforced by the Fire Chief. Before you burn anything, check with Freeport Fire Rescue and get a permit through the Maine Forest Service online burn permit system.
| Local open-burning ordinance | None found [1] |
| Fire code adopted | NFPA 1 Fire Code (2018), as amended by Maine [1] |
| Who enforces | Fire Chief and/or Codes Enforcement Officer [2] |
| Smoke limits (zoning) | Cannot exceed Maine DEP limits; violations are public nuisances [3] |
What Freeport's ordinances say
None of the Freeport documents we reviewed contain a section on open burning, brush piles, campfires, or fire pits. That includes the Zoning Ordinance, the Fire Prevention Code (Chapter 13), and the others listed for this town. Chapter 13 adopts the NFPA 1 Fire Code, 2018 edition as amended by the State of Maine [1]. It is administered by the Fire Chief and/or Codes Enforcement Officer [2]. Burning rules may come from that code and from state law, but they aren't spelled out in the town text we have.
The Zoning Ordinance's performance standards say smoke and particulate emissions may not exceed Maine DEP limits, and violations are public nuisances [3]. That standard is aimed at land uses in general, not backyard fires, but a smoky fire that bothers neighbors could draw enforcement.
What to do
In Maine, outdoor burning of brush and similar material is usually handled by a state burn permit, coordinated with the local fire department. Recreational fires and fire pits may have their own conditions. Ask Freeport Fire Rescue what applies on your property and on that day. Fire danger changes daily.
See how Freeport compares with 8+ other Maine towns on burn permits & backyard fires →
Next steps
- Call Freeport Fire Rescue or check its webpage to ask whether your brush burn or fire pit needs a permit and what conditions apply.
- For brush or debris burning, get a permit through the Maine Forest Service online burn permit system (or from the local fire warden) on the day you plan to burn.
- Burn only clean, dry natural material. Never burn trash, plastics, or construction debris.
- Keep water or a hose on hand, stay with the fire, and put it out completely. Stop if smoke is bothering neighbors.
Common questions
- Do I need a burn permit in Freeport, Maine?
- Freeport's ordinances reviewed contain no open-burning rules. Check with Freeport Fire Rescue and get a permit through the Maine Forest Service online burn permit system before burning brush.
- Can I have a fire pit in Freeport, Maine?
- The ordinances reviewed don't address fire pits. Ask Freeport Fire Rescue what applies on your property and on that day. A smoky fire that bothers neighbors could still draw enforcement.
- What fire code does Freeport, Maine use?
- The town has adopted the NFPA 1 Fire Code (2018), as amended by Maine, enforced by the Fire Chief and/or Codes Enforcement Officer. Burning rules may come from it and from state law.
Maine state burn permit rules
Maine law (12 M.R.S. §9324–9325) and the DEP open burning rule apply in every town. Towns can be stricter, and some ban brush burning entirely.
You need a burn permit from your town forest fire warden or the Maine Forest Service for:
- Burning leaves, brush, deadwood and tree cuttings from normal upkeep of your own property.
- A recreational campfire when the ground isn't covered by snow.
- Any recreational fire larger than 3 ft across and 3 ft high (Forest Service guidance since Oct. 25, 2023).
No permit needed for:
- A campfire on snow-covered ground or a frozen pond, up to 3 ft wide and 3 ft high.
- Residential outdoor grills and fireplaces used for things like cooking, up to 3 ft by 3 ft.
Getting a permit: Online permits from the Maine Forest Service have been free since Oct. 2021, and you can request them 9am to midnight. Your town warden can also write you a permit for free. Check the daily fire danger report, because permits depend on conditions.
Banned everywhere: Burning trash, plastic, rubber, Styrofoam, metal, food waste, chemicals, treated wood or other solid waste. Only clean wood waste and the wood part of construction debris may be burned. No open burning at all, campfires included, in an area under a red flag warning.
You must burn at a suitable time and with care. You can be sued if your fire damages someone else's property.
What the ordinance says
- Sec. 13.3.A, Fire Prevention Code (Chapter 13), p. 1
marked and designated as the NFPA Fire Code 1 - 2018 Edition as published by the National Fire Protection Association, as adopted and amended by the State of Maine and further amended by section 13.3.B, be and is hereby adopted as the Fire Code of the Town of Freeport.
- Sec. 13.2.A, Fire Prevention Code (Chapter 13), p. 1
A. This Ordinance shall be administered and enforced by the Town of Freeport Fire Chief and/or the Town of Freeport Codes Enforcement Officer, or any designee of the Fire Chief.
- Sec. 518 Smoke and Particulate Matter, Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 21), p. 152
The maximum permitted density of smoke, dust and other particulate emissions during normal operations of any activity shall not exceed the maximum allowable under the regulations of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.