Burn permits and fire pits in Scarborough, Maine
Scarborough's ordinances we reviewed don't regulate backyard brush burning or fire pits; the only open-fire rule we found bans open fires within the harbor. Before any outdoor burning, check with Scarborough Fire-Rescue, which handles burn permits through the Maine Forest Service burn permit system.
| Local open-burning ordinance | None found in the sources reviewed [1] |
| Open fires in the harbor | Prohibited except designated areas, onboard stoves, and grills used for cooking/heating [1] |
| Landscape contractor businesses | Burning of landscape materials prohibited [2] |
What we found
We searched Scarborough's Zoning Ordinance, Shoreland Zoning Ordinance, Coastal Waters and Harbor Ordinance, Animal Control Ordinance and Short-Term Rental Ordinance for open burning, burn permits, fire pits and recreational fires. None of them sets rules for burning brush or using a fire pit on a residential lot.
The only open-fire rules are narrow:
- In the harbor: Open fires are prohibited within the harbor except in specially designated areas, permanently installed onboard stoves or fireplaces, and hibachis or barbecues used for cooking or heating [1].
- Landscape contractors: The zoning performance standards for landscape contractor businesses prohibit all burning of landscape materials [2]. This applies to that business use, not homeowners.
Where the rules actually come from
Burn permits in Scarborough are handled by Scarborough Fire-Rescue rather than by a town ordinance in our source set. Maine generally requires a permit for outdoor burning of brush and similar material, and permits depend on daily fire danger, so don't rely on this page for burn day conditions or prohibited materials. Fire pit, chiminea and campfire rules, if any, would also come from the fire department.
Practical notes
Burning trash, construction debris or other non-wood materials is commonly prohibited under state rules; check the permit conditions. A smoky fire that bothers neighbors can still be treated as a nuisance.
See how Scarborough compares with 8+ other Maine towns on burn permits & backyard fires →
Next steps
- Contact Scarborough Fire-Rescue (scarboroughmaine.org, Fire-Rescue > Burn Permits) before burning brush or using a fire pit.
- Check with the local fire department / the Maine Forest Service burn permit system for a permit on the day you plan to burn.
- Burn only clean, untreated wood or brush allowed by the permit, and keep water or a hose on hand.
- If you live in a condo, HOA or rental, check those rules too.
Common questions
- Do I need a burn permit in Scarborough, Maine?
- Scarborough's ordinances reviewed don't regulate backyard burning. Check with Scarborough Fire-Rescue, which handles burn permits through the Maine Forest Service burn permit system, before any outdoor burning.
- Can I have a fire pit in Scarborough, Maine?
- The ordinances reviewed don't address fire pits. Any fire pit or campfire rules would come from the fire department, so contact Scarborough Fire-Rescue first.
- Can I have an open fire in Scarborough, Maine's harbor?
- No. Open fires are prohibited in the harbor except in designated areas, permanently installed onboard stoves or fireplaces, and hibachis or barbecues used for cooking or heating.
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
- Article VIII, Section 1. Welding and Burning, Coastal Waters and Harbor Ordinance (Chapter 1401), p. 16
Except at specially designated areas, open fires are prohibited within the harbor, except for stoves or fireplaces permanently installed on board and below decks on vessels or hibachis or barbecues [sic] used for cooking and/or heating purposes.
- Section IX.CC Landscape Contractor Running Hill – Gorham Road Mixed Use, item 6 (same text in IX.DD), Zoning Ordinance Section IX – Performance Standards, p. 47
All burning of landscape related materials shall be prohibited.