Burn permits and fire pits in Dennis, Massachusetts
Brush burning is allowed only in the January 15 to May 1 season, with a Dennis Fire Department permit (available online), between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on days the department allows, and at least 75 feet from buildings. Backyard fire pits need no permit if they're used mainly for cooking, smaller than 3 feet across and 2 feet high, at least 10 feet from structures, and attended; fire pits used just for ambiance are technically treated as open burning. Bonfires and fires on town property or beaches are not allowed.
| Brush burning season | January 15 to May 1, permit from Fire Department required [1] |
| Burning hours | 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. [2] |
| Brush pile distance from buildings | At least 75 feet [2] |
| Fire pit size | Less than 3 ft diameter and 2 ft high; no bonfires [3] |
| Fire pit distance from structures | At least 10 ft (uncontained open fires 25 ft) [4] |
| Prohibited materials | Leaves, grass, stumps, tires, construction debris, household trash [5] |
| Town property and beaches | No fires, including charcoal [6] |
| Fire pits not used mainly for cooking | Technically subject to the MassDEP open burning rules [7] |
These rules come from undated Fire Department handouts, not a town bylaw.
Brush burning
You may burn brush in Dennis only during the season from January 15 to May 1, and only with a permit from the Dennis Fire Department [1]. Permits are available online and must be obtained in advance. State fire wardens decide each day whether conditions are safe, and the department can rescind permits when weather or air quality changes. Burning must take place between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., at least 75 feet from all buildings [2]. The FAQ's hours line says "January 15 to April 30" while the same FAQ and the fire policy give the season as January 15 to May 1, so treat May 1 as the last possible day only if the department confirms it. Burn on days the Fire Department approves, and under constant watch by someone over 18 with extinguishing tools on hand.
What you can and can't burn
Allowed: brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris (not from commercial or industrial land clearing), plus certain agricultural materials. Not allowed: leaves, grass, hay, stumps, tires, construction or demolition debris, and household trash [5]. Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids to start a fire.
Fire pits and cooking fires
Under state law, adults may have a reasonable cooking fire without a permit if it's enclosed in noncombustible material. The Fire Department's policy says fires must be primarily for cooking, and fire pits must be less than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high [3]. Fire pits that aren't mainly used for cooking are technically subject to the state open burning regulation [7]. Keep fire pits at least 10 feet from structures or other combustibles (including on decks and porches); uncontained open fires must be at least 25 feet away [4]. Burn clean, dry wood only, never leave a fire unattended, and keep a hose or extinguisher ready. Fires are prohibited on Town of Dennis property, including beaches [6]. If neighbors complain about smoke or sparks, you may be told to put the fire out, and the department can prohibit all open fires when conditions are hazardous.
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Next steps
- For brush: get an open burning permit from the Dennis Fire Department (online, or 883 Main Street, West Dennis; 508-398-0363) before January 15 to May 1.
- On the day you plan to burn, confirm the Fire Department has declared it an acceptable burn day.
- Burn only between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., at least 75 ft from buildings, with a hose, shovel and rake on hand.
- For a fire pit: keep it under 3 ft wide and 2 ft high, 10 ft from structures, use clean dry wood, and attend it at all times.
Common questions
- How do I get a burn permit in Dennis, MA?
- Get an open burning permit from the Dennis Fire Department, available online, in advance. Brush burning is allowed only January 15 to May 1, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on days the department allows, and at least 75 feet from buildings.
- Do I need a permit for a fire pit in Dennis, Massachusetts?
- No, if it's used mainly for cooking, smaller than 3 feet across and 2 feet high, at least 10 feet from structures, and attended. Fire pits used just for ambiance are technically treated as open burning.
- What can I burn in Dennis, MA?
- Brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris. Leaves, grass, stumps, tires, construction debris and household trash are not allowed.
- Can I have a fire on the beach in Dennis, Massachusetts?
- No. Fires, including charcoal, aren't allowed on town property or beaches, and bonfires aren't allowed.
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
- Open Burning Permits & Restrictions, Town of Dennis - Open Burning Safety / FAQ, p. 1
Open burning of brush is allowed from January 15 to May 1 in the Town of Dennis with a permit.
- Open burning must be done, Town of Dennis - Open Burning Safety / FAQ, p. 1
Between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from January 15 to April 30 • At least 75 feet from all buildings
- Open Fire Policy - Cooking Fires, Fire Pits, Camp Fires, Dennis Fire Department Open Fire Policy - Cooking Fires, Fire Pits, Camp Fires, p. 1
Bonfires are not allowed. Fire must be reasonable in size and primarily for cooking purposes. Fire pits must be less than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.
- Open Fire Policy - Cooking Fires, Fire Pits, Camp Fires, Dennis Fire Department Open Fire Policy - Cooking Fires, Fire Pits, Camp Fires, p. 1
Fire pits should be at least 10 feet from structures or other combustible materials, this could be applicable when devices are located on decks and porches. Open fires not contained shall be at least 25 feet from structures.
- You may not burn, Town of Dennis - Open Burning Safety / FAQ, p. 2
Grass, hay, leaves, stumps or tires • Construction materials or demolition debris • Household trash
- Open Fire Policy - Cooking Fires, Fire Pits, Camp Fires, Dennis Fire Department Open Fire Policy - Cooking Fires, Fire Pits, Camp Fires, p. 1
No Fires, including charcoal are allowed on Town of Dennis property including beaches.
- What about fire pits?, Town of Dennis - Open Burning Safety / FAQ, p. 3
But unless they are being used primarily for cooking, they are technically subject to the MassDEP open burning regulation.