Town Permit Guide

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Burn permits and fire pits in Duxbury, Massachusetts

Duxbury, Plymouth County · Bylaws checked 2026-10-03 · Reviewed · 9 cited sections

Allowed with a permit

You can burn brush in Duxbury only from January 15 to May 1, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with a $12.50 Fire Department permit bought online. Check each day that burning is allowed, and burn at least 75 feet from all buildings. The town's materials don't address backyard fire pits.

Burning seasonJanuary 15 to May 1 [1]
Permit fee$12.50, paid online [2]
Burning hours10 a.m. to 4 p.m. [4]
Distance from buildingsAt least 75 feet [5]
Daily status line(781) 934-5693, option 3 (updated by 9 a.m.) [3]
Penalty for burning without a permitFine up to $500 plus suppression costs [8]

Getting a permit

A permit is required for open burning in Duxbury, and the season runs January 15 through May 1 [1]. You sign up and buy the permit on the town website [9]. It costs $12.50, paid online [2]. You no longer have to leave a message to activate the permit. When conditions are unsafe, such as high winds or drought, the Fire Department posts a notice on social media. If you don't use a computer or social media, call (781) 934-5693 and choose option 3 to hear whether burning is allowed that day. The message is updated by 9 a.m. [3].

When, where and what

  • Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., January 15 to May 1 only [4].
  • Distance: at least 75 feet from all buildings [5], and as close as possible to where the material came from.
  • Allowed: brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris, but not from commercial or industrial land clearing [6]. Some agricultural materials, such as fruit-tree prunings, are also allowed.
  • Not allowed: grass, hay, leaves, stumps or tires [7], plus construction or demolition debris and household trash.

The Fire Department suggests burning early in the season, since April is usually the worst month for brush fires.

Penalties

Breaking the permit rules is grounds for revoking your permit. Burning without a permit can bring criminal charges, with a fine of up to $500 plus the cost of putting the fire out [8].

Fire pits and recreational fires

Neither the Fire Department's permit page nor Duxbury's General By-laws address backyard fire pits, chimineas or recreational fires. State rules allow cooking fires year-round; see the state section on this page. Call the Fire Department before using a fire pit for anything other than cooking.

About this source

This answer comes from the Fire Department's burn-permit web page, not from a bylaw.

See how Duxbury compares with 8+ other Massachusetts towns on burn permits & backyard fires →

Next steps

  1. Buy a burn permit ($12.50) online through the Town of Duxbury website before the season (Jan 15 to May 1).
  2. On the day you plan to burn, check the Fire Department's social media or call (781) 934-5693, option 3, after 9 a.m. to confirm burning is allowed.
  3. Burn only brush, cane, driftwood or forestry debris, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., at least 75 feet from all buildings.
  4. For fire pit questions, call the Duxbury Fire Department.

Common questions

Do I need a burn permit in Duxbury, Massachusetts?
Yes. Burning brush requires a $12.50 Fire Department permit bought online. You can burn only from January 15 to May 1, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
When is burning season in Duxbury, Massachusetts?
January 15 to May 1, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Check each day that burning is allowed, using the daily status line at (781) 934-5693, option 3, updated by 9 a.m.
How far from buildings must I burn in Duxbury, Massachusetts?
At least 75 feet from all buildings.
Can I have a backyard fire pit in Duxbury, Massachusetts?
The town's materials don't address backyard fire pits, so call the Duxbury Fire Department.
What is the penalty for burning without a permit in Duxbury, Massachusetts?
A fine of up to $500 plus suppression costs.

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

  1. Duxbury Fire Department, Burning Permits page, Duxbury Fire Department - Burn Permit page
    Duxbury Fire Department would like to remind Duxbury residents that open burning season begins January 15th and runs through May 1st. A permit is required to open burn in compliance with Massachusetts law.
  2. Duxbury Fire Department, Burning Permits page, Duxbury Fire Department - Burn Permit page
    The cost of the permit is $12.50, and can be paid online.
  3. Duxbury Fire Department, Burning Permits page, Duxbury Fire Department - Burn Permit page
    Individuals who don’t have access to a computer or social media should call the Duxbury Fire Department at (781) 934-5693 and select option 3 to see if open burning is allowed on a given day. This information is updated by 9am each day.
  4. Duxbury Fire Department, Burning Permits page, Duxbury Fire Department - Burn Permit page
    Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., from Jan. 15 to May 1
  5. Duxbury Fire Department, Burning Permits page, Duxbury Fire Department - Burn Permit page
    At least 75 feet from all buildings
  6. Duxbury Fire Department, Burning Permits page, Duxbury Fire Department - Burn Permit page
    Brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris (but not from commercial or industrial land clearing)
  7. Duxbury Fire Department, Burning Permits page, Duxbury Fire Department - Burn Permit page
    Grass, hay, leaves, stumps or tires
  8. Duxbury Fire Department, Burning Permits page, Duxbury Fire Department - Burn Permit page
    According to Massachusetts law, anyone found burning without a permit may be subject to criminal charges, the punishment for which is a fine of up to $500, plus the cost of suppression, or both.
  9. Duxbury Fire Department, Burning Permits page, Duxbury Fire Department - Burn Permit page
    Sign up and purchased your burn permits on the Duxbury City Hall website.
This page summarizes Duxbury'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 Department (Building Commissioner / Director of Municipal Services) (781-934-1100 ext. 6002 (Building Dept); ext. 5481 (Building Commissioner)) before you build. Spot an error?