Burn permits and fire pits in Carlisle, Massachusetts
Yes, with a Carlisle Fire Department permit in the landowner's name. You can burn brush only from January 15 to April 30, and you must call 978-369-2242 after 8:30 a.m. each day to activate the permit. Fires must be at least 75 feet from any structure or street, no larger than 10 by 10 feet, and out by 4 p.m.
| Permit | Fire Department permit in the landowner's name [1] |
| Daily activation | Call 978-369-2242 after 8:30 a.m. on the day you burn [2] |
| Latest time permits are given out | 1 p.m. [9] |
| Season | January 15 to April 30 [3] |
| Setback | 75 ft from any structure or street [4] |
| Max fire size | 10 ft x 10 ft [5] |
| Must be out by | 4 p.m. (no smoke, coals or flames) [6] |
| Prohibited materials | Grass, leaves, whole trees, stumps, tires, construction materials, rubbish [7] |
Getting a permit
The Carlisle Fire Department issues open-burning permits in the landowner's name; an agent may burn at the address, but the permit stays in the owner's name [1]. The owner or agent must be present at all times. A permit can be reused in later seasons until it's revoked or suspended.
Calling in each day
You must activate the permit on each day you want to burn by calling 978-369-2242, but not before 8:30 a.m. Give your name and permit number; no permits are given out after 1 p.m. [2][9]. Burning is allowed only from January 15 to April 30, with permission each day [3]. Permits are invalid in heavy wind or adverse weather.
Where and how
All burning must be at least 75 feet from any structure or street [4]. The fire area can't exceed 10 by 10 feet [5], and you must have a charged garden hose and hand tools on hand before lighting until the fire is out. Fires must be fully extinguished by 4 p.m., with no smoke, red coals or flames [6]. If a fire gets out of control or larger than 10 by 10 feet, call 911 or 978-369-1442.
What you can burn
Allowed: tree branches, brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris from domestic tree trimming, garden preparation and access-way maintenance, burned near where it was generated [8]. Not allowed: grass, leaves, whole trees, stumps, tires, construction materials or rubbish, and no gasoline or tires as fire starters [7].
Fire pits
The town's rules don't address recreational fire pits. Under state rules, cooking fires are allowed year-round; a fire pit used for anything other than cooking falls under open-burning rules, so ask the Fire Department before using one.
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Next steps
- Obtain an open-burning permit from the Carlisle Fire Department in the property owner's name.
- On each burn day between January 15 and April 30, call 978-369-2242 after 8:30 a.m. (and before 1 p.m.) with your name and permit number.
- Set up at least 75 ft from structures and streets, with a charged garden hose and hand tools ready.
- Burn only brush and branches, keep the pile under 10 x 10 ft, and have the fire completely out by 4 p.m.
Common questions
- Do I need a burn permit in Carlisle, Massachusetts?
- Yes. You need a Carlisle Fire Department permit in the landowner's name, and you must call 978-369-2242 after 8:30 a.m. each day to activate it.
- When can I burn brush in Carlisle, Massachusetts?
- You can burn brush only from January 15 to April 30. Fires must be out by 4 p.m.
- How far from a house does a fire have to be in Carlisle, Massachusetts?
- At least 75 feet from any structure or street, and no larger than 10 by 10 feet.
- What can't I burn in Carlisle, Massachusetts?
- Prohibited materials include grass, leaves, whole trees, stumps, tires, construction materials and rubbish.
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
- Local Rules & Regulations for Open Burning, Fire Department - Local Rules & Regulations for Open Burning
The owner’s agent may burn at the permit address, but the permit must be under the owner’s name. The owner of the property or their agent shall remain present at all times.
- Local Rules & Regulations for Open Burning, Fire Department - Local Rules & Regulations for Open Burning
This permit must be activated on the day you wish to burn, by calling 978-369-2242 prior to burning. No phone calls shall be made to the Dispatcher until after 8:30 a.m. the day you wish to burn.
- Local Rules & Regulations for Open Burning, Fire Department - Local Rules & Regulations for Open Burning
Open air burning will only be allowed by permit each day from January 15 to April 30. This permit is only valid during that time period with permission each day or until revoked.
- Local Rules & Regulations for Open Burning, Fire Department - Local Rules & Regulations for Open Burning
All burning shall be conducted 75 feet from any structure or street.
- Local Rules & Regulations for Open Burning, Fire Department - Local Rules & Regulations for Open Burning
The fire area shall not be any larger than ten feet by ten feet (10 X 10).
- Local Rules & Regulations for Open Burning, Fire Department - Local Rules & Regulations for Open Burning
All fires must be extinguished by 4 p.m.; there must be no smoke, red coals, or flames.
- Local Rules & Regulations for Open Burning, Fire Department - Local Rules & Regulations for Open Burning
No fire starters such as gasoline or tires may be used. No grass, leaves, whole trees, stumps, tires, construction materials, or rubbish may be burned.
- Local Rules & Regulations for Open Burning, Fire Department - Local Rules & Regulations for Open Burning
The following materials are allowed to be burned with this permit: Tree branches, brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris from other than land clearing operations, domestic tree trimming and pruning, domestic garden preparation and maintenance of existing access ways.
- Local Rules & Regulations for Open Burning, Fire Department - Local Rules & Regulations for Open Burning
You must give your name (as on the permit), and permit number each time you call to activate your permit. No Permits will be given out after 1 p.m.