Burn permits and fire pits in Gloucester, Massachusetts
Brush burning is allowed only January 15 to May 1, with a $25 permit from the Fire Department (applied for online), between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., at least 75 feet from any dwelling, and only on days the Fire Department authorizes it (call 978-325-5306). A chiminea or outdoor fireplace needs no permit if you burn only firewood, set it on a non-combustible surface at ground level at least 25 feet from structures, and keep water within 75 feet.
| Burn season | January 15 to May 1 [1] |
| Permit | Online via Viewpoint Cloud; or at Fire HQ, 8 School Street [2] |
| Permit fee | $25 (plus $1.74 online processing) [3] |
| Daily status line | (978) 325-5306 [4] |
| Distance and hours | 75 ft from all dwellings; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. [5] |
| Chiminea/outdoor fireplace permit | Not required if conditions are met [8] |
| Distance from structures (chiminea) | 25 ft [11] |
| Water/extinguisher (chiminea) | Within 75 ft [10] |
Brush burning
Open burning season runs from January 15 to May 1 each year [1]. You need a permit from the Fire Department. Apply online through the city's permitting portal (Viewpoint Cloud) or use the public computer at Fire Headquarters, 8 School Street [2]. The fee is $25, plus a $1.74 online processing fee; checks are accepted but no cash [3].
A permit doesn't mean you can burn any day. Call the Open Burn Status Line each day to hear whether the Deputy Fire Chief on duty has authorized burning, and authorization can be pulled if the wind picks up [4]. Burns must be at least 75 feet from all dwellings and held between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. [5].
What you can and can't burn
With a permit you may burn brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris (not from commercial land clearing) [6]. Grass, hay, leaves, stumps, tires, construction debris and household trash are banned statewide [7]. Start the fire with paper and kindling; no accelerants are allowed. An adult should always be present.
Chimineas and outdoor fireplaces
City ordinance Sec. 8-61 allows a chiminea or outdoor fireplace without a Fire Department permit if you follow its conditions [8]:
- Burn only ordinary firewood; no construction debris, leaves, trash or chemicals [9].
- Set it on a non-combustible surface at grade, not on a deck and not under any overhang, roof or canopy.
- Keep a water supply or extinguisher within 75 feet [10].
- Keep the fire at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material [11], and attended until it's out.
- No flammable liquids to start it.
The smoke can't be a nuisance or hazard to neighbors, and the fire chief can order any such fire put out after a complaint [12]. Sec. 8-61 names chimineas and outdoor fireplaces; it doesn't define them or mention open in-ground fire pits, so ask the Fire Department whether your fire pit is treated as an outdoor fireplace.
See how Gloucester compares with 8+ other Massachusetts towns on burn permits & backyard fires →
Next steps
- Apply for an open burn permit ($25) on Gloucester's online permitting portal, or at Fire Headquarters, 8 School Street, between January 15 and May 1.
- On the day you want to burn, call the Open Burn Status Line at (978) 325-5306 to confirm burning is authorized.
- Burn only brush and similar yard debris, at least 75 ft from any dwelling, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with an adult present.
- For a chiminea or outdoor fireplace, set it on a non-combustible surface at ground level at least 25 ft from structures, with water or an extinguisher within 75 ft.
Common questions
- Do I need a burn permit in Gloucester, Massachusetts?
- Yes, for brush burning. You need a $25 permit from the Fire Department (plus a $1.74 online processing fee), applied for online through the city's permitting portal or at Fire Headquarters, 8 School Street. Burning is allowed only January 15 to May 1.
- Can I burn brush today in Gloucester, Massachusetts?
- Only if the Fire Department authorizes burning that day. A permit doesn't mean you can burn any day; call the Open Burn Status Line at (978) 325-5306, and authorization can be pulled if the wind picks up. Burns must be between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., at least 75 feet from all dwellings, with an adult present.
- What can I burn with a burn permit in Gloucester, Massachusetts?
- Brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris not from commercial land clearing. Grass, hay, leaves, stumps, tires, construction debris and household trash are banned statewide. Start the fire with paper and kindling; no accelerants are allowed.
- Do I need a permit for a fire pit or chiminea in Gloucester, Massachusetts?
- Not for a chiminea or outdoor fireplace if you burn only firewood, set it on a non-combustible surface at ground level at least 25 feet from structures, and keep water or an extinguisher within 75 feet. The ordinance doesn't mention open in-ground fire pits, so ask the Fire Department whether yours is treated as an outdoor fireplace.
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
- General Burning Season & Permit Information, Fire Department - Open Burn Permits & Regulations
Open burning season is from January 15 to May 1 each year.
- General Burning Season & Permit Information, Fire Department - Open Burn Permits & Regulations
Those without internet access may come into Fire Headquarters/Fire Prevention Office at 8 School Street and use our public-access computer in the lobby to apply.
- General Burning Season & Permit Information, Fire Department - Open Burn Permits & Regulations
The permit fee is $25.00, as authorized by State Legislature. The online system accepts all major credit cards and charges a $1.74 processing fee.
- General Burning Season & Permit Information, Fire Department - Open Burn Permits & Regulations
To listen to today’s Open Burning status, call (978) 325-5306. You must call the Open Burn Status Line each day to listen to that particular day’s OPEN BURNING Status recording to determine if burning is authorized by the Deputy on Duty.
- General Burning Season & Permit Information, Fire Department - Open Burn Permits & Regulations
Permitted open burning is required to be a minimum of 75 feet from all dwellings and must be conducted between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Allowed materials, Fire Department - Open Burn Permits & Regulations
Brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris from other than commercial or industrial land clearing operations.
- Prohibited materials, Fire Department - Open Burn Permits & Regulations
Grass, hay, leaves and stumps, and tires.
- Sec. 8-61(a), Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 - Fire Prevention and Protection (Sec. 8-61 Chimineas and outdoor fireplaces)
The use of a chiminea or outdoor fireplace is allowed without a permit from the fire department provided the following conditions are met:
- Sec. 8-61(a)(3), Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 - Fire Prevention and Protection (Sec. 8-61 Chimineas and outdoor fireplaces)
Only ordinary firewood shall be burned in the chiminea or outside fireplace; no construction debris, leaves, household trash, hazardous waste, or chemicals may be burned at any time;
- Sec. 8-61(a)(5), Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 - Fire Prevention and Protection (Sec. 8-61 Chimineas and outdoor fireplaces)
A water supply or fire extinguisher capable of extinguishing the fire is within 75 feet of the chiminea or outdoor fireplace;
- Sec. 8-61(a)(7), Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 - Fire Prevention and Protection (Sec. 8-61 Chimineas and outdoor fireplaces)
Fires shall not be located within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material;
- Sec. 8-61(b), Code of Ordinances Chapter 8 - Fire Prevention and Protection (Sec. 8-61 Chimineas and outdoor fireplaces)
The fire chief or his designee may order any outside fire permitted by this section to be extinguished in response to a complaint or hazardous condition.