Burn permits and fire pits in Hingham, Massachusetts
You can burn brush in Hingham only with a Fire Department burn permit, only from January 15 to May 1 between 10 AM and 4 PM, and only after notifying the department each day you burn. Fires must be at least 75 feet from all dwellings; the burning limits don't apply to outdoor cooking.
| Permit | Hingham Fire Department burn permit, valid for the calendar year; notify the department each day you burn [1] |
| Season | January 15 to May 1 [4] |
| Hours | 10 AM to 4 PM; fully out by 4 PM; no permits issued or activated after 2 PM [5] |
| Distance from dwellings | At least 75 feet [6] |
| Allowed materials | Brush, cane, driftwood, forestry debris [2] |
| Prohibited materials | Leaves, grass, hay, stumps, rubbish, building materials, tires [3] |
Permit and daily notification
The Hingham Fire Department and MassDEP limit open burning. You need a burn permit from the Fire Department, the permit is good for the calendar year only, and once you have it you must notify the department on each day you burn [1]. The Fire Department page shows whether burning is open or closed on a given day.
What you can and can't burn
Allowed: brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris, but not debris from commercial or industrial land clearing [2]. Prohibited: leaves, grass, hay, stumps, rubbish, building materials and tires [3].
When
Burning is allowed only from January 15 to May 1 [4]. Burning may take place only between 10 AM and 4 PM, all fires must be completely out by 4 PM, and no permits are issued or activated after 2 PM [5].
Where and how
Burn at least 75 feet from all dwellings, on the land closest to where the material came from [6]. Clear grass and other combustibles from the area, keep a water supply such as a pressurized hose on hand, burn only when air ventilation is good and it won't cause a nuisance, and stay with the fire until it's completely out [7]. Permits can be revoked for violations.
Fire pits and bonfires
The Fire Department says the limits on open burning don't apply to outdoor cooking [8]. We didn't find a local rule specifically on recreational fire pits or chimineas, so check with the Fire Department before using one for anything other than cooking. Separately, the General By-Laws bar setting a bonfire in any public way or place without written permission from both the Select Board and the Fire Department [9].
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Next steps
- Get a burn permit from the Hingham Fire Department (see the Burn Permits page on hingham-ma.gov) before the season opens January 15.
- On each day you want to burn, check the burning status and notify/activate your permit before 2 PM.
- Burn only brush, cane, driftwood or forestry debris, at least 75 feet from any dwelling, with a hose ready, and have the fire fully out by 4 PM.
- For a backyard fire pit used for anything other than cooking, ask the Fire Department what's allowed.
Common questions
- Do I need a burn permit in Hingham, Massachusetts?
- Yes. You can burn brush only with a Fire Department burn permit, from January 15 to May 1 between 10 AM and 4 PM, and only after notifying the department each day you burn.
- How far from buildings must I burn in Hingham, Massachusetts?
- At least 75 feet from all dwellings.
- What can I burn in Hingham, Massachusetts?
- Brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris. Leaves, grass, hay, stumps, rubbish, building materials and tires are prohibited.
- Can I have a backyard fire pit in Hingham, Massachusetts?
- The burning limits don't apply to outdoor cooking. For a fire pit used for anything other than cooking, ask the Fire Department what's 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
- Burning Rules and Regulations: Permits & Notification, Fire Department - Burn Permits
You must obtain a burn permit from the Hingham Fire Department to conduct open burning. Permits are valid for the calendar year only. Once a permit has been issued, you must notify the fire department on each day that you burn.
- Burning Rules and Regulations: What to Burn, Fire Department - Burn Permits
Allowed materials: brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris (other than from commercial or industrial land clearing)
- Burning Rules and Regulations: What to Burn, Fire Department - Burn Permits
Prohibited from burning: leaves, grass, hay, stumps, rubbish, building materials, and tires.
- Burning Rules and Regulations: Dates/Times, Fire Department - Burn Permits
Dates/Times: January 15 to May 1st
- Burning Rules and Regulations: Dates/Times, Fire Department - Burn Permits
Burning may only take place between the hours of 10 AM to 4 PM. All fires must be completely extinguished by 4 PM. No permits will be issued or activated after 2 PM.
- Burning Rules and Regulations: Burning Site, Fire Department - Burn Permits
Burning must be at least 75 feet from all dwellings Burning must take place on the land closest to the source of material to be burned
- Burning Rules and Regulations: Burning Site, Fire Department - Burn Permits
Have an available water supply such as a pressurized water hose Burning must be conducted during periods of good atmospheric ventilation without causing a nuisance. The fire must be attended until completely extinguished.
- Burning Rules and Regulations, Fire Department - Burn Permits
Open burning can also pose a safety risk when it is not adequately controlled. The limits on open burning do not apply to outdoor cooking.
- Article 10, Section 19, General By-Laws (revised through 2025 ATM), p. 29
No person shall set any bonfire in any public way or place without first obtaining written permission from both the Select Board and the fire department.