Town Permit Guide

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Burn permits and fire pits in Falmouth, Massachusetts

Falmouth, Barnstable County · Bylaws checked 2026-10-03 · Reviewed · 5 cited sections

Allowed with a permit

Brush burning is allowed only from January 15 through May 1, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with a burn permit from Falmouth Fire Rescue. On each burn day you must call the open burning line (508-495-2506) between 9:30 a.m. and noon. Only tree trimmings, brush and storm-debris branches may be burned, at least 75 feet from any structure.

Burning seasonJanuary 15 - May 1 [1]
Burning hours10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (out by 4 p.m.) [5]
Daily call-in508-495-2506, 9:30 a.m. - noon [1]
Allowed materialsTree trimmings/brush, access-way maintenance, driftwood or storm-debris branches [2]
Prohibited materialsLeaves, grass, hay, pine needles, construction debris, land-clearing material [3]
Distance from structures75 ft minimum [4]

When and how

Falmouth Fire Rescue follows state law (M.G.L. c. 148 and 527 CMR) for open burning. Burning is allowed January 15 through May 1, inclusive. On the day you want to burn, call the non-emergency open burning line at 508-495-2506 between 9:30 a.m. and noon. Calls before 9:30 or after noon aren't accepted [1]. The department decides each day whether conditions allow burning. Burning hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the fire must be out by 4 p.m. [5]. State rules require a burn permit from the fire department in advance; the town links to online burn permits from its open burning page.

What you can burn

Only domestic or commercial tree trimmings and prunings (brush), material from maintaining existing access ways, and driftwood or storm debris in the form of branches [2].

What you can't burn

Leaves, grass, hay or pine needles, construction or demolition debris, material from land clearing or site or road development, and anything not on the allowed list [3].

Rules at the fire

  • A responsible person must tend the fire at all times.
  • The burn area must be at least 75 feet from any structure [4].
  • Keep a hose, rake and shovel ready.
  • Don't use flammable liquids to start the fire.

Violations can lead to permit revocation, fines or imprisonment.

Fire pits and cooking fires

The town's burning page doesn't address recreational fire pits or chimineas. Under state rules, cooking fires are allowed year-round. A fire pit used for anything other than cooking falls under the open-burning rules above. Ask Fire Prevention before using one.

The department's page still carries a "2020" season banner, so permit fees and procedures may have changed. The season dates and rules match state law, but confirm current procedures with the department.

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

Next steps

  1. Get a burn permit from Falmouth Fire Rescue (online through the town's Open Burning page) and check the town website for any current fee.
  2. On the day you want to burn (Jan 15 - May 1), call 508-495-2506 between 9:30 a.m. and noon to see whether burning is allowed.
  3. Burn only brush and branches, at least 75 ft from any structure, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with a hose, rake and shovel on hand.
  4. For a backyard fire pit, ask Falmouth Fire Prevention whether it qualifies as a cooking fire.

Common questions

Do I need a burn permit in Falmouth, Massachusetts?
Yes. Brush burning is allowed only from January 15 through May 1, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with a burn permit from Falmouth Fire Rescue.
How do I find out if I can burn today in Falmouth, Massachusetts?
On each burn day, call the open burning line at 508-495-2506 between 9:30 a.m. and noon.
What can I burn in Falmouth, Massachusetts?
Only tree trimmings, brush and storm-debris branches, at least 75 feet from any structure. Leaves, grass, hay, pine needles and construction debris are prohibited.
Can I have a backyard fire pit in Falmouth, Massachusetts?
Ask Falmouth Fire Prevention whether it qualifies as a cooking fire.

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

  1. Falmouth Fire Rescue, Open Air Burning, Falmouth Fire Rescue Open Burning (permit info + PermitEyes online permits)
    You must call the Falmouth Fire Rescue Department non-emergency line at (508) 495-2506 between 9:30 AM and 12:00 hrs. No calls will be accepted before 9:30 am or after 12:00 hrs. Open burning is allowed from January 15 through May 1, inclusive of these dates.
  2. Falmouth Fire Rescue, Items you may burn, Falmouth Fire Rescue Open Burning (permit info + PermitEyes online permits)
    1. Domestic or commercial tree trimmings and pruning (brush). 2. Maintenance of existing access ways. 3. Driftwood or storm debris in the form of branches.
  3. Falmouth Fire Rescue, Items you may not burn, Falmouth Fire Rescue Open Burning (permit info + PermitEyes online permits)
    1. Leaves, grass, hay or pine needles. 2. Construction or demolition debris. 3. Materials from land clearing, site or road development.
  4. Falmouth Fire Rescue, Rules of Open Burning, Falmouth Fire Rescue Open Burning (permit info + PermitEyes online permits)
    2. The burn area must be not closer than 75 feet from any structure.
  5. Falmouth Fire Rescue, Rules of Open Burning, Falmouth Fire Rescue Open Burning (permit info + PermitEyes online permits)
    5. The hours of burning are from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The fire must be extinguished by 4:00 PM.
This page summarizes Falmouth'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 / Inspectional Services (508-495-7470 (main/inspections); counter 508-495-7469) before you build. Spot an error?