Burn permits and fire pits in Bourne, Massachusetts
Brush burning in Bourne needs a Fire Department permit and is allowed only from January 15 to May 1. Apply through the town's online portal and call the daily fire weather line before you light. A backyard fire pit or chiminea for cooking or recreation needs no permit if an adult attends it and it's at least 10 feet from any structure or combustible material.
| Brush burning season | January 15 to May 1 [1] |
| Permit | Required; apply through the town's online portal [2] |
| Permit fee | $10 [4] |
| Daily check | Call 508-759-0600 ext. 2300 before lighting [3] |
| Fire pits and chimineas | No permit; cooking or recreation only, attended by an adult, 10 ft from structures [5] |
| Burning hours (2023 season sheet) | 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. [7] |
| Distance from dwellings (2023 season sheet) | At least 75 feet [8] |
| Prohibited materials | Leaves, grass, hay, construction debris, trash, lumber [9] |
Brush burning
Bourne's open burning season runs from January 15 to May 1, and you must get a permit through the town's online portal and activate it on the day you plan to burn, weather permitting [1]. Brush burning is allowed only with a permit during the season, and burning leaves, grass, hay or construction debris is prohibited by state law [2]. Even with a permit, check the Daily Fire Weather Status line (508-759-0600 ext. 2300) before lighting [3]. The Fire Department lists the open burning permit fee as $10 [4].
The Fire Department's posted Open Burning Information sheet is the 2023 edition, so check its details against the current season. That sheet says burning is allowed only from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the fire must be out and cool by 4:00 p.m. [7]. It also says to burn at least 75 feet from any dwelling, on the land closest to where the material came from [8], and to keep a charged hose or other water supply on hand. It lists brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris as allowed, and bans grass, leaves, hay, trash, lumber and demolition materials at all times [9].
Fire pits and chimineas
Adults (18+) may have small recreational or cooking fires on private property without a permit [6]. The fire must be used for cooking or recreation only, attended by an adult at all times, and kept at least 10 feet from any structure or combustible material [5]. Set fire pits, chimineas and grills at grade on a non-combustible surface, never under overhangs, roofs or canopies, and keep water nearby. Don't burn construction debris, grass or leaves. The Fire Department can order any fire put out if conditions are hazardous. State rules (shown separately) treat a fire pit used for anything other than cooking as open burning, so state law may limit purely recreational fires even though the town's page allows them.
Beaches
Fires and charcoal grills are generally prohibited on public beaches. On a private beach you need the owner's permission, and the fire must be for cooking, constantly attended by an adult, and inside a noncombustible ring on sand or gravel.
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Next steps
- Apply for a burning permit through Bourne Fire/Rescue's online permit portal (OpenGov) before the January 15 - May 1 season.
- On each day you want to burn, call 508-759-0600 ext. 2300 for the daily fire weather status and activate your permit; burn only brush, at least 75 feet from any dwelling, with water on hand.
- For a backyard fire pit or chiminea, no permit is needed: keep it 10 feet from structures and combustibles, on a non-combustible surface, and attended by an adult.
Common questions
- Do I need a burn permit in Bourne, Massachusetts?
- Yes. Brush burning needs a Fire Department permit, applied for through the town's online portal, and is allowed only from January 15 to May 1. The permit fee is $10. Each day, call the fire weather line before you light.
- Can I burn leaves in Bourne, MA?
- No. Burning leaves, grass, hay or construction debris is prohibited by state law. Only brush and similar materials may be burned with a permit during the season.
- Can I have a fire pit in Bourne, Massachusetts?
- Yes, without a permit, if it's for cooking or recreation, attended by an adult at all times, and at least 10 feet from any structure or combustible material, on a non-combustible surface. State rules treat a non-cooking fire pit as open burning, so state law may limit purely recreational fires.
- What are the burning hours in Bourne, Massachusetts?
- The Fire Department's 2023 Open Burning Information sheet says 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the fire out by 4:00 p.m., and at least 75 feet from any dwelling. Check those details against the current 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.
What the bylaw says
- Fire/Rescue FAQ - When is "Open Burning" season, Fire/Rescue and Emergency Services FAQs (fire pits, beach fires, open burning season), p. 1
Open burning season in Massachusetts runs from January 15th to May 1st. You must obtain a permit through our online portal and activate it on the day you plan to burn (subject to weather conditions).
- Permits, Inspections & Fees - Open Burning Permits, Fire/Rescue - Permits, Inspections & Fees (Open Burning Permits; Outdoor Heating & Cooking), p. 1
The Rules: Brush burning is only allowed with a permit during the specified season. Burning of leaves, grass, hay, or construction debris is strictly prohibited by State law
- Permits, Inspections & Fees - Open Burning Permits, Fire/Rescue - Permits, Inspections & Fees (Open Burning Permits; Outdoor Heating & Cooking), p. 1
Daily Check: Even with a permit, you must check the Daily Fire Weather Status (508-759-0600 ext. 2300) before lighting your fire to ensure burning is allowed that day
- Permits, Inspections & Fees - Fees, Fire/Rescue - Permits, Inspections & Fees (Open Burning Permits; Outdoor Heating & Cooking), p. 1
Smoke & CO Inspection (Sale/Transfer): $50.00 (Single Family/Individual Unit) Open Burning Permit: $10.00
- Fire/Rescue FAQ - fire pit or chiminea, Fire/Rescue and Emergency Services FAQs (fire pits, beach fires, open burning season), p. 1
Yes, but they must be used for cooking or recreation only, be attended by an adult at all times, and be kept at least 10 feet away from any structure or combustible material.
- Permits, Inspections & Fees - Outdoor Heating & Cooking, Fire/Rescue - Permits, Inspections & Fees (Open Burning Permits; Outdoor Heating & Cooking), p. 1
Residents and property owners (18+) may have small recreational or cooking fires on private property without a permit, provided the following conditions are met:
- Bourne Open Burning Season Information (2023), Fire/Rescue - Bourne Open Burning Season Information (2023 season sheet), p. 1
Burning hours are between 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. The fire must be completely extinguished and cool to the touch no later than 4:00 P.M.
- Bourne Open Burning Season Information (2023), Fire/Rescue - Bourne Open Burning Season Information (2023 season sheet), p. 1
Burning must be conducted on land closest to the source of the material being burned at least seventy-five (75) feet from any dwelling.
- Bourne Open Burning Season Information (2023), Fire/Rescue - Bourne Open Burning Season Information (2023 season sheet), p. 1
The burning of any other materials, including grass, leaves, hay, trash, rubbish, refuse, lumber, demolition materials, etc. is strictly prohibited at all times.