Burn permits and fire pits in Lewiston, Maine
Yes, with a free written permit from the Lewiston Fire Department. Permits are issued day by day depending on the weather: call Central Station at (207) 513-3002, ext. 3606 or 3608, and a fire crew will check the site and issue the permit there if approved. You must also call the fire department just before lighting, or the permit is void.
| Permit required | Written permit from the fire department for any open-air fire [2] |
| Fee | None [7] |
| How to get one | Call Central Station, (207) 513-3002 x3606 or x3608; crew inspects the site [5] |
| Call before lighting | Required, or the permit is automatically void [4] |
| Outdoor incinerators (burn barrels) | Separate fire department permit required [6] |
Permit required
Lewiston's Code of Ordinances (Chapter 38, Sec. 38-34) defines "fire" broadly, covering bonfires, burning of grass, leaves, weeds, brush, wood, paper, trash and any burning of combustible materials [1]. No one may kindle or maintain a fire in the open air on a street, public grounds or private lot without first getting a written permit from the fire department [2]. The fire chief sets the permit policies; dispatchers, fire officers and inspectors can issue permits, and the officer on duty can stop all burning in the city when safety requires [3].
How to get a permit
The Fire Department says burning permits are issued daily depending on weather conditions. Call Central Station; the district fire truck and crew visit the burn site and, if they approve, issue the permit on the spot, at no charge [5][7]. Even with a permit, you must phone the fire department for clearance just before lighting the fire, or the permit is automatically null and void [4]. The City's FAQ doesn't say whether a Maine Forest Service online burn permit can be used instead of the local permit, so ask the Fire Department before relying on one.
Fire pits and backyard fires
We didn't find a separate local rule for recreational fire pits, campfires or outdoor fireplaces. The ordinance's definition of "fire" isn't limited to brush and doesn't exempt recreational fires, so ask the Fire Department whether your fire pit needs a permit before using it.
Burn barrels and what you can burn
Using any outdoor incinerator (a container used to burn waste) requires a separate fire department permit, which can be revoked if it causes smoke, odor or a nuisance to neighbors [6]. The local ordinance doesn't list prohibited materials; state open-burning rules (shown separately) limit what may be burned.
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Next steps
- On the day you want to burn, call Lewiston Fire Department Central Station at (207) 513-3002, ext. 3606 or 3608.
- Have the burn site ready for the district fire crew to inspect; if approved, they issue the free permit on site.
- Call the fire department again just before lighting to get clearance, or the permit is void.
- For a fire pit, chiminea or burn barrel, ask the Fire Department (2 College St., 207-513-3002) which permit applies.
Common questions
- Do I need a burn permit in Lewiston, Maine?
- Yes. Lewiston requires a written permit from the Fire Department for any fire in the open air, including brush, leaves and bonfires. The permit is free and issued day by day depending on the weather.
- How do I get a burn permit in Lewiston, Maine?
- Call Lewiston Fire Department Central Station at (207) 513-3002, ext. 3606 or 3608. A district fire crew visits the burn site and, if approved, issues the permit on the spot. You must also call the Fire Department just before lighting, or the permit is void.
- Can I use a Maine online burn permit in Lewiston, Maine?
- It's unclear. The City's FAQ doesn't say whether a Maine Forest Service online burn permit can be used instead of the local Fire Department permit, so ask the Fire Department before relying on one.
- Do I need a permit for a fire pit in Lewiston, Maine?
- Possibly. We found no separate local rule for recreational fire pits, and the ordinance's definition of fire doesn't exempt recreational fires, so ask the Fire Department before using one. Outdoor incinerators such as burn barrels need a separate Fire Department permit.
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
- Ch. 38, Sec. 38-34(a) Open-air burning, Code of Ordinances Chapter 38 - Fire Prevention and Protection (Sec. 38-34 Open-air burning; Sec. 38-35 outdoor incinerators), p. 15
As used in this section, the term "fire" means and shall include, but is not limited to, bonfires, burning of grass, leaves, weeds, brush, wood, paper boxes, trash, waste, automobiles and trucks, junk, fires on public or private dumps, and any burning of combustible or flammable materials, including petroleum products.
- Ch. 38, Sec. 38-34(b) Open-air burning, Code of Ordinances Chapter 38 - Fire Prevention and Protection (Sec. 38-34 Open-air burning; Sec. 38-35 outdoor incinerators), p. 15
No person shall kindle or maintain any fire in the open air, or authorize any such fire to be kindled or maintained, in any street, alley, roadway, lane, public grounds or private lot, without first having obtained a written permit to do so from the fire department.
- Ch. 38, Sec. 38-34(c) Open-air burning, Code of Ordinances Chapter 38 - Fire Prevention and Protection (Sec. 38-34 Open-air burning; Sec. 38-35 outdoor incinerators), p. 15
Dispatchers, fire department officers and fire inspectors have authority to issue burning permits. The assistant fire chief or captain on duty shall have the authority to suspend or stop all burning in the city whenever, in their opinion, safety requires such action.
- Ch. 38, Sec. 38-34(d) Open-air burning, Code of Ordinances Chapter 38 - Fire Prevention and Protection (Sec. 38-34 Open-air burning; Sec. 38-35 outdoor incinerators), p. 15
Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this section, no person shall kindle or cause to be kindled such fires as are enumerated in this section, without calling by telephone the city fire department for clearance to kindle the fire just prior to lighting it. Failure to obtain such clearance shall cause the permit issued therefor to be automatically null and void.
- Fire Department FAQ: How do I obtain a burning permit?, Lewiston Fire Department FAQ - How do I obtain a burning permit?, p. 1
Burning permits are issued on a daily basis depending on weather conditions. To obtain one, please contact Central Station at (207) 513-3002, X3606 or X3608. The district fire truck and personnel will visit the requested burning site for review.
- Ch. 38, Sec. 38-35(c) Outdoor incinerators, Code of Ordinances Chapter 38 - Fire Prevention and Protection (Sec. 38-34 Open-air burning; Sec. 38-35 outdoor incinerators), p. 15
It shall be unlawful to use any outdoor incinerator without having first obtained a permit for such incinerator from the city fire department.
- Fire Department FAQ: How do I obtain a burning permit?, Lewiston Fire Department FAQ - How do I obtain a burning permit?, p. 1
If approved, the permit will be issued immediately on site. There is no fee for the permit.