Burn permits and fire pits in Yarmouth, Maine
Yes, but Yarmouth's Fire Ordinance makes it unlawful to burn anything on your own land without first getting a permit from the Fire Chief. The Chief can ban all outdoor burning during dry conditions, and you may only burn trees, limbs, leaves and other wood waste, never trash or other solid waste.
| Permit required | Yes, from the Fire Chief, before burning any material on your land [1] |
| Burning bans | Fire Chief may ban all outdoor burning during serious fire hazard (drought, etc.) [2] |
| Allowed materials | Trees, tree limbs, leaves and other wood waste only [3] |
| Fine | $50 to $200 per violation [4] |
Permit from the Fire Chief
Yarmouth's Fire Ordinance (Chapter 303) makes it unlawful to burn, kindle, ignite or set fire to any material on your own land or elsewhere without first getting a permit from the Fire Chief [1]. The ordinance doesn't carve out small recreational fires or fire pits, so read it as covering backyard fires too. Burning within a public way needs the Chief's written permission.
Burning bans
When the Fire Chief thinks there's a serious fire hazard from drought or other reasons, the Chief can publish a ban on all outdoor burning of trash, leaves, grass, tree limbs, brush or other combustible material [2]. During a ban, outdoor burning is unlawful unless the Chief gives specific written permission.
What you can burn
Except at DEP-licensed waste facilities, no one may burn or incinerate solid waste in town other than trees, tree limbs, leaves and other wood waste [3]. Household trash, plastics, construction debris and similar materials are off limits.
Penalties
Violations carry a fine of $50 to $200 for each violation [4].
How this fits with state rules
The town ordinance doesn't set burning hours, fire-pit sizes or distances. State burn permit rules (Maine Forest Service) apply alongside the town permit, so check the daily fire danger and the state section on this page. The ordinance was last amended in 2011, so ask the Fire Department how it issues permits today, for example whether it accepts the state's online permits.
See how Yarmouth compares with 8+ other Maine towns on burn permits & backyard fires →
Next steps
- Contact the Yarmouth Fire Department to get a burn permit from the Fire Chief before any outdoor fire, including a fire pit.
- Check whether a burning ban is in effect and the day's fire danger.
- Burn only clean brush, limbs, leaves and other wood waste; no trash or construction debris.
- Keep the fire attended and controlled, and follow any conditions on your permit.
Common questions
- Do I need a burn permit in Yarmouth, Maine?
- Yes. Yarmouth's Fire Ordinance makes it unlawful to burn any material on your own land without first getting a permit from the Fire Chief. The ordinance doesn't carve out fire pits, so read it as covering backyard fires too.
- What can I burn in Yarmouth, Maine?
- Only trees, tree limbs, leaves and other wood waste. Burning or incinerating household trash, plastics, construction debris and other solid waste is off limits.
- Can Yarmouth, Maine ban outdoor burning?
- Yes. When the Fire Chief sees a serious fire hazard from drought or other reasons, the Chief can publish a ban on all outdoor burning. During a ban, burning is unlawful without specific written permission.
- What is the fine for illegal burning in Yarmouth, Maine?
- $50 to $200 for each violation.
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. 303, Article I.B.1, Chapter 303 Fire Ordinance, p. 3
1. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to burn, kindle, ignite or set fire to any material on his/her own land or elsewhere, without first obtaining a permit from the Fire Chief.
- Ch. 303, Article I.B.3, Chapter 303 Fire Ordinance, p. 3
3. The Fire Chief shall, by publication in a newspaper or other publication having general circulation within the Town, prohibit or ban all outdoor burning of trash, leaves, grass, tree limbs, brush or other combustible materials for such a period of time as he/she deems necessary, when in his/her opinion a condition of serious fire hazard exists due to drought or other reasons.
- Ch. 303, Article I.B.4, Chapter 303 Fire Ordinance, p. 3
Pursuant to Chapter 306, Article III(3) of the Yarmouth Town Code, except for waste facilities licensed by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, it shall be unlawful for any person to start, kindle, fuel, cause or allow the open burning or incineration of any solid waste within the Town other than trees, tree limbs, leaves and other wood waste.
- Ch. 303, Article III.B Penalties, Chapter 303 Fire Ordinance, p. 5
Any person or persons found guilty of a violation of this Ordinance under ARTICLES I, II, or III shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200) for each such violation to be recovered by complaint to the use of the inhabitants of the Town of Yarmouth.