Burn permits and fire pits in Lexington, Massachusetts
Brush burning is allowed in Lexington only from January 15 to May 1, with a Fire Department permit obtained in advance, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and at least 75 feet from any building or fence. You must call 781-698-4700 (option 8) after 9 a.m. on the day you burn to confirm burning is allowed.
| Burn season | January 15 to May 1 only [1] |
| Permit | Required before any burning [2] |
| Distance from buildings and fences | More than 75 feet [4] |
| Hours | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; lit before 2 p.m., out by 4 p.m. [5] |
| Daily check | Call 781-698-4700, option 8, after 9 a.m. [7] |
| Fines | $100 first, $500 second, $1,000 after [8] |
Brush burning season and permit
The Lexington Fire Department allows open burning of brush only from January 15 to May 1, and that's also the only time you can apply for a permit [1]. You must apply for and receive a permit before any burning [2]. Applications are made online through the Fire Department's Burn Permits page.
What you can burn
Only brush, cane and forestry debris. Grass, hay, leaves, stumps, construction material, tires, paper and rubbish may never be burned, and land-clearing debris isn't allowed either [3]. Accelerants such as gasoline or propane may not be used to start the fire.
Conditions
- Fires must be more than 75 feet from any building or structure, including wooden, plastic or vinyl fences [4].
- Burn only between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.; light the fire before 2 p.m. and have it out by 4 p.m. [5]
- An adult (18 or older) must attend the fire with a charged garden hose or other way to put it out [6].
- Burning is suspended during a Red Flag Warning or High Fire Danger declaration.
Day-of approval
The shift commander decides each morning whether conditions allow burning. On the day you want to burn, call 781-698-4700, option 8, after 9 a.m.; a recording says whether burning is allowed, and you'll record your permit number [7].
Penalties
Permits can be revoked at any time. Violations carry fines of $100 for a first offense, $500 for a second and $1,000 for later offenses [8]. You must show the permit to fire or police officials on request.
Fire pits
The Fire Department page we reviewed doesn't address recreational fire pits or chimineas. Under state rules, cooking fires are allowed year-round, but a fire pit used for anything other than cooking falls under open-burning limits. Call the Fire Department to confirm before using one. This answer is based on the Fire Department's web page rather than a bylaw; Lexington's general bylaws weren't reviewed.
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Next steps
- Between January 15 and May 1, apply online for a burn permit on the Lexington Fire Department's Burn Permits page.
- Pick a burn spot more than 75 feet from any building or fence, and have a charged garden hose ready.
- On burn day, call 781-698-4700 option 8 after 9 a.m. to confirm burning is allowed and record your permit number.
- Light only brush before 2 p.m. and have the fire fully out by 4 p.m.
Common questions
- Do I need a burn permit in Lexington, Massachusetts?
- Yes. Brush burning is allowed only from January 15 to May 1, with a Fire Department permit obtained in advance, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- How far from buildings must I burn in Lexington, Massachusetts?
- More than 75 feet from any building or fence.
- How do I check if I can burn today in Lexington, Massachusetts?
- Call 781-698-4700 (option 8) after 9 a.m. on the day you burn to confirm burning is allowed.
- What are the fines for illegal burning in Lexington, Massachusetts?
- Fines are $100 first, $500 second, and $1,000 after.
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
- Fire Department, Burn Permits, Fire Department - Burn Permits
The open burning of brush is allowed only from January 15 to May 1. This is the only time you may apply for a permit.
- Fire Department, Burn Permits, Fire Department - Burn Permits
A Permit must be applied for and received prior to any burning.
- Fire Department, Burn Permits, Fire Department - Burn Permits
No grass, hay, leaves, stumps, construction material, tires, paper, or rubbish may be burned at any time. No land site or clearing debris may be burned.
- Fire Department, Burn Permits, Fire Department - Burn Permits
All open fires must be located more than 75 feet from any building or structure (including wooden, plastic, or vinyl fences).
- Fire Department, Burn Permits, Fire Department - Burn Permits
Burning is allowed only between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, with all fires, ignited prior to 2 pm and extinguished by 4 pm.
- Fire Department, Burn Permits, Fire Department - Burn Permits
All fires must be attended to by a person 18 years of age or older, accompanied by a charged garden hose, or other acceptable means of extinguishment.
- Fire Department, Burn Permits, Fire Department - Burn Permits
On the day you wish to burn, call 781-698-4700 and select option 8, after 9 AM. A recording will inform you if burning is allowed that day.
- Fire Department, Burn Permits, Fire Department - Burn Permits
Whoever violates any provision of this Permit shall be subject to a fine of $100 for the first offense, $500 for the 2nd offense, and $1000 for any subsequent offense Reference M.G.L. c. 148a.