Burn permits and fire pits in Medford, Massachusetts
Medford's ordinances ban making any bonfire in the city and ban carelessly setting fire to brush, leaves, grass or rubbish, and Medford is also on the state's list of communities where open burning is never allowed. Don't plan on burning brush or yard waste; ask the Medford Fire Department before using a wood-burning fire pit, since the ordinance doesn't say whether a small backyard fire counts as a bonfire.
| Bonfires | Banned within city limits (narrow exceptions such as authorized military exercises) [1] |
| Burning brush, leaves, grass or rubbish | No wanton or careless setting of fires anywhere in the city [2] |
| Fire prevention code | State law, 527 CMR fire code and state building code, adopted locally [3] |
| Fire permit fees | Set by the city in Appendix A of the Revised Ordinances [4] |
Local ordinances
Medford's Offenses chapter says no one may make any bonfire within the city limits. The only exceptions are military exercises authorized by the state or the City Council, and cases otherwise authorized by law [1]. The Fire Prevention chapter separately bars wantonly or carelessly setting fire to any tree, bush, grass, leaves, brushwood, rubbish or other substance anywhere in the city [2].
The ordinances don't define "bonfire," and they don't mention fire pits, chimineas or outdoor fireplaces by name. Medford's fire prevention code is the state fire code (527 CMR), state building code and state fire laws, enforced by the Fire Department's Bureau of Fire Prevention [3]. Fire permit fees are set by the city in Appendix A of the Revised Ordinances [4]. We didn't review that appendix, so we don't list fees here.
State rules
Medford is one of the Massachusetts communities where state rules ban open burning at all times, so there is no brush-burning season or burn permit. Under state rules, small cooking fires are allowed. A fire pit used for anything other than cooking falls under the open-burning rules. See the state rules section.
What this means for a homeowner
Don't burn brush, leaves or yard waste. For outdoor cooking, a gas, charcoal or electric grill is the safe choice. Before lighting a wood fire in a fire pit or chiminea, check with the Medford Fire Department, because it may treat that as a banned bonfire or open burning.
See how Medford compares with 8+ other Massachusetts towns on burn permits & backyard fires →
Next steps
- Don't burn brush, leaves or yard waste; open burning isn't allowed in Medford.
- Call the Medford Fire Department's Bureau of Fire Prevention before using a wood-burning fire pit, chiminea or outdoor fireplace.
- Use a gas, charcoal or electric grill for outdoor cooking, kept away from the house and anything that can burn.
Common questions
- Can I get a burn permit in Medford, MA?
- No. Medford is on the state's list of communities where open burning is never allowed, so there is no brush-burning season or burn permit. Don't burn brush, leaves or yard waste.
- Can I have a fire pit in Medford, Massachusetts?
- It's unclear. Medford's ordinances ban bonfires but don't say whether a small backyard fire counts as one, and a fire pit used for anything other than cooking falls under state open-burning rules. Ask the Medford Fire Department before using a wood-burning fire pit.
- Are bonfires allowed in Medford, MA?
- No. Medford bans making any bonfire within city limits, with narrow exceptions such as military exercises authorized by the state or City Council.
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
- Sec. 58-2, Revised Ordinances Chapter 58 - Offenses (Municode), p. 1
No person shall fire or discharge a cannon, gun, fowling-piece, air rifle or firearm, or make any bonfire within the limits of the city, except at a military exercise or review authorized by the military authority of the commonwealth or by the city council, and except in the lawful defense of persons or family or property of a citizen, except by authority provided by law;
- Sec. 42-79, Revised Ordinances Chapter 42 - Fire Prevention and Protection (Municode), p. 1
No person shall wantonly or carelessly set fire to any tree, bush, grass, leaves, brushwood, rubbish or other substance in any place in the city.
- Sec. 42-71, Revised Ordinances Chapter 42 - Fire Prevention and Protection (Municode), p. 1
The provisions of this article, together with the applicable provisions of the general laws of the commonwealth, fire prevention (CMR 527), state building code, and accepted acts of M.G.L.A. c. 148 shall constitute the fire prevention code of the city.
- Sec. 42-80, Revised Ordinances Chapter 42 - Fire Prevention and Protection (Municode), p. 1
Fees for fire permits shall be set by the city and listed in appendix A of these Revised Ordinances.