Burn permits and fire pits in Cohasset, Massachusetts
To burn brush in Cohasset you need a Residential Burn Permit from the Fire Department, issued online with an annual fee. Burning is allowed only from January 15 to May 1, and you must request each burn online on the day itself, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. The town's online permit system doesn't address backyard fire pits.
| Permit | Residential Burn Permit through the Fire Department's online system; annual fee [1] |
| Burning season | January 15 through May 1 [3] |
| Daily burn request | Same day only, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; no advance requests [2] |
Getting a burn permit
Cohasset handles open burning through the Fire Department's online permit system (PermitEyes). You fill out an application and pay the required annual fee, and the permit is then approved [1]. Holding a permit doesn't let you burn whenever you like. On each day you plan to burn, you must request that burn online, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. You can't request a future date. The request is approved only if the day falls within the burning season and burning isn't restricted that day [2].
When you can burn
Residential Burn Permit holders may burn only between January 15 and May 1 [3]. Outside that window, requests won't be approved. Within it, the Fire Department can still turn down a day because of fire danger or air-quality restrictions [2].
What and where
The town's permit page doesn't list allowed materials or distances. State open-burning rules, summarized separately on this page, cover allowed materials (brush, not leaves or trash), burning hours and setbacks from buildings.
Fire pits and recreational fires
We found no local Cohasset rule specifically on backyard fire pits, chimineas or recreational fires in the documents we reviewed. Cooking fires and other recreational fires fall under state rules. Call the Fire Department before using a fire pit for anything other than cooking.
About this source
This answer comes from the town's online permit portal, not from a bylaw text. Cohasset's General Bylaws are published only on eCode360, which we couldn't access, so any local fire bylaw wasn't reviewed.
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Next steps
- Apply for a Residential Burn Permit on the Cohasset PermitEyes portal (permiteyes.us/cohasset) and pay the annual fee.
- On each day you want to burn (Jan 15 to May 1), log in between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and submit a burn request; wait for approval before lighting.
- For questions about fire pits or burn conditions, contact the Cohasset Fire Department (contact details on cohassetma.gov).
Common questions
- Do I need a burn permit in Cohasset, Massachusetts?
- Yes. You need a Residential Burn Permit from the Fire Department, issued online with an annual fee. You must also request each burn online on the day itself.
- When can I burn brush in Cohasset, Massachusetts?
- Only from January 15 to May 1. On each burn day, request the burn online between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.; future dates can't be requested, and the Fire Department can still turn down a day for fire danger or air-quality restrictions.
- Can I have a fire pit in Cohasset, Massachusetts?
- The town's online permit system doesn't address backyard fire pits, and no local rule was found. State rules cover cooking and other recreational fires. Call the Fire Department before using a fire pit for anything other than cooking.
- Where do I get a burn permit in Cohasset, Massachusetts?
- Apply on the Fire Department's online PermitEyes portal and pay the annual fee.
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
- Online Permitting, Instructions, Cohasset Fire Department online open burning permits (PermitEyes)
Your permit will be approved after filling out an application and paying the required annual fee.
- Online Permitting, Instructions, Cohasset Fire Department online open burning permits (PermitEyes)
You may REQUEST BURN only on the day you are burning, between the hours of 9am and 2pm. You cannot request for a future date. Your request will be approved if the day is within the burning season and there are no restrictions on burning that day.
- Online Permitting, Instructions, Cohasset Fire Department online open burning permits (PermitEyes)
Burning is allowed between January 15th through May 1st for Residential Burn Permit.