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Burn permits and fire pits in Andover, Massachusetts

Andover, Essex County · Bylaws checked 2026-10-03 · Reviewed · 8 cited sections

Allowed with a permit

Yes, but only brush and similar yard debris, only between January 15 and April 30, and only with an Andover Fire Department permit plus permission on the day you burn. Burning is allowed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at least 75 feet from any dwelling. Outdoor cooking fires are allowed year-round.

Burn seasonJanuary 15 to April 30 [1]
PermitRequired from Andover Fire Rescue before burning [2]
Daily permissionCall 978-623-3752 each day you plan to burn [6]
Hours10 a.m. to 4 p.m. [3]
Distance from dwellingsAt least 75 feet [4]
Never allowedGrass, hay, leaves, stumps, tires [7]
Outdoor cookingAllowed year-round; not subject to open-burning limits [8]

Brush burning season

Andover Fire Rescue allows burning of brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris between January 15 and April 30 [1]. You need a permit before burning anything [2], and the fire must be:

  • between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. [3]
  • at least 75 feet from all dwellings [4]
  • on your own property, close to where the material came from
  • at a time when air is circulating well but winds are light

Getting the permit

Get a burn permit at the Fire Prevention Office in the Andover Town Offices at 36 Bartlet Street [5]. Then, on each day you want to burn, call Andover Fire Rescue at 978-623-3752 for permission, with your permit number, address and phone number ready [6]. The department decides daily whether conditions allow burning.

What you can and can't burn

Allowed materials are brush, cane, driftwood, forestry debris, tree prunings, dead raspberry stalks, blueberry patches and infected beehives. It's never legal to burn grass, hay, leaves, stumps or tires [7]. Burning debris from commercial or industrial land clearing is banned statewide.

Fire pits and cooking

The fire department's guidance says outdoor cooking is allowed year-round and isn't subject to open-burning limits [8]. It doesn't address recreational fire pits used for anything other than cooking. Ask the Fire Prevention Office before using one outside the burn season.

While burning

Clear grass from the burn area and start the fire with natural kindling, not gasoline or lighter fluid. Someone must attend the fire until it's completely out, with a hose or other water supply and a shovel or rake. Drown the coals, spread them out and drown them again.

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Next steps

  1. Get a burn permit at the Fire Prevention Office, Andover Town Offices, 36 Bartlet Street, before the January 15 to April 30 season.
  2. On each burn day, call Andover Fire Rescue at 978-623-3752 for permission, with your permit number, address and phone number ready.
  3. Burn only brush and similar debris between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., at least 75 feet from any dwelling, with a hose and shovel on hand.
  4. For a recreational fire pit (not cooking), ask the Fire Prevention Office what's allowed.

Common questions

Do I need a burn permit in Andover, Massachusetts?
Yes. You need a permit from Andover Fire Rescue before burning, and you must call 978-623-3752 for permission on each day you plan to burn.
When is open burning allowed in Andover, Massachusetts?
Brush burning is allowed only between January 15 and April 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and at least 75 feet from any dwelling.
Can I burn leaves in Andover, Massachusetts?
No. It is never legal to burn grass, hay, leaves, stumps or tires. Only brush and similar yard debris may be burned, during the season and with a permit.
Can I have a fire pit in Andover, Massachusetts?
It depends. Outdoor cooking is allowed year-round and isn't subject to open-burning limits, but the fire department guidance doesn't address recreational fire pits. Ask the Fire Prevention Office before using one outside the burn season.

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 Andover's published bylaws. Section numbers are as printed in the source.

  1. Open Burning: What can be burned, when, and under what conditions?, Andover Fire Rescue - Open Burning requirements, p. 1
    You are allowed to burn brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris - not including grass, hay, leaves or stumps - between January 15 and April 30, so long as the open burning takes place:
  2. Open Burning: What can be burned, when, and under what conditions?, Andover Fire Rescue - Open Burning requirements, p. 1
    Be sure to get a permit from the Andover Fire Department before burning anything.
  3. Open Burning: conditions, Andover Fire Rescue - Open Burning requirements, p. 1
    Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  4. Open Burning: conditions, Andover Fire Rescue - Open Burning requirements, p. 1
    No less than 75 feet away from all dwellings
  5. Open Burning Guidelines: First things first, Andover Fire Rescue - Open Burning requirements, p. 2
    Obtain a permit to burn at the Fire Prevention Office located in the Andover Town Offices at 36 Bartlet Street.
  6. Open Burning Guidelines: First things first, Andover Fire Rescue - Open Burning requirements, p. 2
    Contact Andover Fire Rescue @ 978-623-3752 to obtain permission to burn each day. Please have you permit number, address and phone number available when calling.
  7. Open Burning: What types of open burning are not allowed?, Andover Fire Rescue - Open Burning requirements, p. 1
    There are no circumstances under which it is legal to burn grass, hay, leaves, stumps or tires.
  8. Open Burning: What other types of outdoors fires are allowed?, Andover Fire Rescue - Open Burning requirements, p. 1
    Outdoor cooking is allowed year-round in all communities and is not subject to open burning limits.
This page summarizes Andover's posted bylaws as of 2026-10-03. Bylaws are amended, and individual lots can have overlays, subdivision covenants, or HOA rules that are stricter. Confirm with Building Division (Building Commissioner - Inspector of Buildings / zoning enforcement) (978-623-8620) before you build. Spot an error?