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Burn permits and fire pits in Acton, Massachusetts

Acton, Middlesex County · Bylaws checked 2026-10-19 · Reviewed · 9 cited sections

Allowed with a permit

Yes, with a Fire Department permit from acton.firepermits.com. Brush burning is allowed January 15 to May 1, between 10 AM and 4 PM (no fire started after noon), at least 75 feet from any structure. You must activate the permit online each day you burn. Acton's own rules don't address backyard fire pits.

PermitOnline via acton.firepermits.com; activate on each burn day [1]
SeasonJanuary 15 through May 1 [2]
Hours10:00 AM to 4:00 PM; no fire started after 12:00 noon [2]
DistanceAt least 75 ft from any structure [3]
Banned methodsNo burn barrels; no tires, gasoline, motor oil or other petroleum accelerants [3]
Prohibited materialsHay, grass, leaves, whole trees, stumps, carpentry/building debris, paper/rubbish [5]
Red Flag daysBurning prohibited [6]
Fire pitsNo local rule found [7]

Getting a burn permit

The Acton Fire Department issues open-burning permits online at acton.firepermits.com. You create an account (Step 1) and apply (Step 2). Then, on each day you plan to burn, you check the weather and activate the permit (Step 3) [1]. You must have the permit with you while you burn, but you don't need to call the Fire Department first [9].

When and how

  • Season: January 15 through May 1, and a permit is required [2].
  • Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and no fire may be started after noon [2].
  • Location: at least 75 feet from any structure, close to where the material came from [3].
  • No accelerants and no burn barrels [3].
  • A responsible adult must tend the fire at all times, with a way to put it out on hand [4].
  • No burning on National Weather Service Red Flag Warning days [6]. Burning is discouraged in high wind or dry conditions.

What you can burn

Only debris from domestic tree trimming and pruning, and from garden preparation. Prohibited: hay, grass, leaves, whole trees, stumps, carpentry and building debris, and paper or rubbish [5].

Fire pits and backyard fires

Acton's Fire Department page and bylaws don't address recreational fires, fire pits or chimineas. The town's documents mention fire pits only as structures:

  • The Planning Department's 2019 setback guide lists garden structures and fire pits under 8 feet among items that don't need zoning setbacks [7].
  • Near wetlands, the Conservation Commission counts a non-portable fire pit or barbecue as a structure, so the 75-ft wetland setback applies [8].

State rules on cooking fires and fire pits apply (see the state section). Ask the Fire Department before using a fire pit for anything other than cooking.

See how Acton compares with 8+ other Massachusetts towns on burn permits & backyard fires →

Next steps

  1. Create an account and apply for a burn permit at acton.firepermits.com before the January 15 to May 1 season.
  2. On each burn day, check weather.gov for Red Flag warnings, then activate your permit online before lighting (and before noon).
  3. Burn only tree trimmings and garden debris, at least 75 ft from structures, with an adult present and water or a hose ready.
  4. For fire-pit questions, call the Acton Fire Department.

Common questions

How do I get a burn permit in Acton, MA?
Apply online at acton.firepermits.com: create an account, apply for the permit, then activate it online on each day you burn after checking for Red Flag warnings. You don't need to call the Fire Department first, but you must have the permit with you.
When is burning allowed in Acton, Massachusetts?
Brush burning is allowed January 15 through May 1, from 10 AM to 4 PM, and no fire may be started after noon. Burning is prohibited on Red Flag Warning days.
Can you burn leaves in Acton, Massachusetts?
No. Only tree trimmings, pruning and garden debris may be burned. Hay, grass, leaves, whole trees, stumps, carpentry and building debris, and paper or rubbish are prohibited, and burn barrels and accelerants are banned.
How far from a house must a brush fire be in Acton, MA?
Burning must be at least 75 feet from any structure, close to where the material came from, and a responsible adult must tend the fire with a way to put it out.
Do you need a permit for a fire pit in Acton, MA?
Acton's own rules don't address backyard fire pits. The 2019 setback guide says fire pits under 8 feet don't need zoning setbacks, and near wetlands a non-portable fire pit counts as a structure. State rules apply; ask the Fire Department before using a fire pit for anything other than cooking.

Massachusetts open burning and fire pit rules

State regulations (MassDEP, 310 CMR 7.07) and M.G.L. c. 48, §13 control outdoor burning.

Open burning of brush (where allowed):

  • Only January 15 to May 1, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
  • You need a permit from your local fire department in advance. Fire officials decide each day whether conditions allow burning and can cancel permits.
  • Burn at least 75 feet from any dwelling, and only when air quality allows (MassDEP hotline 800-882-1497).
  • Allowed: brush, cane, driftwood and residential forestry debris, plus some agricultural materials.
  • Not allowed: leaves, grass, hay, stumps, tires, construction debris or household trash.
  • Banned at all times in 22 communities, including Belmont, Brookline and Newton. The others are Arlington, Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Malden, Medford, New Bedford, Somerville, Springfield, Waltham, Watertown, West Springfield and Worcester.

Fire pits and outdoor cooking: cooking fires are allowed year-round everywhere and aren't covered by open-burning limits. They must be a reasonable size, kept away from combustibles, in a non-flammable enclosure, and tended by someone 18 or older. A fire pit used for anything other than cooking falls under the open-burning rules. Towns may further regulate or ban fire pits and chimineas.

Burning illegally, or letting a fire get out of control, can make you liable for firefighting costs, fines or jail time.

State sources: Department of Fire Services, Open Burning Safety · M.G.L. c. 48, §13 (permission required for open-air fires) · 310 CMR 7.00, Air Pollution Control (includes 7.07 Open Burning)

What the bylaw says

Exact text from Acton's published bylaws. Section numbers are as printed in the source.

  1. To apply for a Burn Permit, Fire Department - Burn Permit and Regulations
    You will need to activate your permit on EACH DAY you are burning.
  2. Regulations for Open Burning, Fire Department - Burn Permit and Regulations
    Open Burning Season is January 15 through May 1 A permit will be required to burn Burning will be allowed from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM No fire may be started after 12:00 noon
  3. Regulations for Open Burning, Fire Department - Burn Permit and Regulations
    Burning must be at least 75' from any structure Burning must take place proximate to the source of material Absolutely no starter material such as tires, gasoline, motor oil, or any other petroleum accelerant will be used No burning in barrels
  4. Regulations for Open Burning, Fire Department - Burn Permit and Regulations
    The fire must be attended all time by a responsible adult A means of extinguishing must be available at all times
  5. Prohibited from burning, Fire Department - Burn Permit and Regulations
    Prohibited from burning: Hay Grass Leaves Whole trees Stumps Carpentry debris Building Debris Paper/Rubbish
  6. Red Flag Days, Fire Department - Burn Permit and Regulations
    As a valid Open Burning permit holder, please be aware that there are days called “Red Flag Warning” days on which burning is prohibited.
  7. Does my structure require setbacks? - NO column (April 2019), Planning Department Zoning Review - Setback Requirements for Residential Districts (April 2019), p. 1
    Garden Structures and Fire Pits under 8 feet in height
  8. Guidance: meaning of 'structure' (April 17, 2019), Conservation Commission guidance: meaning of 'structure' in the Acton Wetland Bylaw (approved April 17, 2019), p. 1
    Structure: Anything which is built or constructed, including but not limited to the following, whether permanent or temporary: building, including eaves, overhangs, and gutters; shed; stairway; above or below ground swimming pool; roofed storage area; garage; car port; free standing wall taller than 4’; retaining wall; concrete pad larger than 50 SF(1); patio larger than 200 sf(1); deck larger than 200 sf (1); riprap greater than 100sf (1); terrace; parking lot; above or below ground storage tank; non-portable barbecue; non-portable fire pit; tennis court; and all parts of an above or below ground stormwater facility including but not limited to deten- tion/retention basin.
  9. Regulations for Open Burning, Fire Department - Burn Permit and Regulations
    The permit must be in the holder's possession during each burning event. There is no need to call the Fire Department prior to burning.
This page summarizes Acton's posted bylaws as of 2026-10-19. Bylaws are amended, and individual lots can have overlays, subdivision covenants, or HOA rules that are stricter. Confirm with Building Department (Building Commissioner / Zoning Enforcement Officer), Town Hall, 472 Main Street, Acton MA 01720 (978-929-6633) before you build. Spot an error?