Burn permits and fire pits in Sandwich, Massachusetts
Brush burning is allowed only from January 15 to May 1, with permission you get by calling the Fire Department (508-888-0525, option 6) between 10 AM and 2 PM on each day you want to burn. The fire must be more than 75 feet from any dwelling and out by 4 PM. A small cook fire in a fire pit or chiminea (up to 3 ft wide and 2 ft high, at least 15 ft from structures) needs no Fire Department permit on your own property, but the department says you must first call 508-888-0525 ext. 5 with your name, address and call-back number.
| Burning season | January 15 - May 1 [1] |
| How to get permission | Call 508-888-0525 option 6, 10 AM-2 PM, each day you want to burn [2] |
| Burn hours | 10 AM - 4 PM; fire and embers out by 4 PM [3] |
| Distance from dwellings | More than 75 feet [4] |
| No permission when wind is | 10 mph or more [3] |
| Cook fire / fire pit permit | None needed on private property (adults 18+) [5] |
| Before a cook fire | Call 508-888-0525 ext. 5 (name, address, call-back number) [10] |
| Cook fire size | Max 3 ft wide, 2 ft flame height [6] |
| Fire pit distance from structures | At least 15 feet [7] |
| Penalty | Up to $100 and/or one month (G.L. c.48 s.13), loss of privileges [8] |
Brush burning (open burning season)
Open burning is allowed each year from January 15 through May 1 [1]. You need permission for each day: call 508-888-0525 option 6 between 10 AM and 2 PM, and a recording will say whether weather and forest conditions allow burning that day [2]. No permission is given when the wind is 10 mph or more. Fires must burn between 10 AM and 4 PM and be fully out, embers included, by 4 PM [3]. Each permission covers one fire at one address.
Allowed: domestic or commercial tree trimmings and pruning, garden preparation, maintenance of existing access ways, and driftwood from beaches.
Not allowed: grass, hay, leaves and pine needles, land clearing for development, whole trees and stumps, construction or demolition debris, and anything other than natural wood.
Burn near where the material came from, with smoke-minimizing starters, more than 75 feet from any dwelling [4]. Keep water nearby and stay with the fire until the embers are out. Violations can cost you burning privileges for the season and fire-control costs, and can bring a fine of up to $100 or a month in jail under state law [8]. Agricultural burns may not start after noon.
Fire pits, chimineas and cook fires
The Fire Department's cook fire rules let residents and owners 18 or older have a small cook fire on their own property without a permit. Brush, slash, construction debris, grass and leaves can't be burned outside the burning season [5]. Flames may not be more than 3 feet wide or 2 feet high [6]. The fire pit or chiminea must be at least 15 feet from structures and combustibles and attended until it's out [7]. Only natural firewood or commercial logs may be burned; no lumber, trash, pallets, yard waste or leaves. Keep an extinguisher, hose, sand or dirt at hand. The department defines a cook fire as "used for cooking only," so a purely recreational fire isn't clearly covered. Anyone planning a cook fire or beach fire must call 508-888-0525 ext. 5 and leave a name, address and call-back number [10]. Firefighters can order out a fire that creates nuisance smoke.
Beach fires
The Board of Selectmen's beach regulations ban bonfires everywhere. A beach cook fire needs a Fire Department permit, must be below the high tide line, and is limited to 3 feet in diameter [9]. Cook fires aren't allowed on Town Beach east of the boardwalk, and painted wood, driftwood, pallets and nailed wood can't be burned.
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Next steps
- For brush: between January 15 and May 1, call 508-888-0525 option 6 between 10 AM and 2 PM on the day you want to burn and listen for whether burning is allowed.
- Pick a spot more than 75 feet from any dwelling, have a hose or water supply ready, and burn only tree trimmings, prunings or garden material, all out by 4 PM.
- For a backyard fire pit or chiminea: keep it at least 15 ft from structures, flames no bigger than 3 ft by 2 ft, burn only firewood, and call the Fire Department at 508-888-0525 ext. 5 with your name and address.
- For a beach cook fire, call the Fire Department for the required permit and build it below the high tide line.
Common questions
- When is burning season in Sandwich, MA?
- Brush burning in Sandwich is allowed only from January 15 to May 1. Fires must burn between 10 AM and 4 PM and be fully out, embers included, by 4 PM.
- How do I get a burn permit in Sandwich, Massachusetts?
- Call the Fire Department at 508-888-0525, option 6, between 10 AM and 2 PM on each day you want to burn; a recording says whether burning is allowed that day. No permission is given when the wind is 10 mph or more. Burn more than 75 feet from any dwelling.
- Do I need a permit for a fire pit in Sandwich, Massachusetts?
- No permit, but you must call first. Adults 18+ may have a small cook fire in a fire pit or chiminea on their own property without a Fire Department permit, but must first call 508-888-0525 ext. 5 with a name, address and call-back number. Flames can be at most 3 ft wide and 2 ft high, at least 15 ft from structures. The rule covers fires used for cooking.
- Can you burn leaves in Sandwich, MA?
- No. Grass, hay, leaves and pine needles can't be burned, even during the January 15 to May 1 season. Allowed materials are tree trimmings and prunings, garden preparation, access-way maintenance and beach driftwood.
- Are beach fires allowed in Sandwich, Massachusetts?
- Bonfires are banned everywhere. A beach cook fire needs a Fire Department permit, must be below the high tide line, is limited to 3 feet in diameter, and isn't allowed on Town Beach east of the boardwalk.
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
- Open Burning Season page, Fire Department - Open Burning Season page
Open Burning is allowed annually from January 15 thru May 1
- Open Burning Season page, Fire Department - Open Burning Season page
For permission to burn call 508-888-0525 OPTION 6 BETWEEN 10AM AND 2PM each day burning is desired. A voice recording will state if weather and forest conditions allow, for that day only
- Open Burning Season page, Fire Department - Open Burning Season page
No permission will be given when the wind speed is at or above 10 miles per hour All Fires shall be between 10 am and 4 pm and must be out by 4 pm including embers.
- Open Burning Season page, Fire Department - Open Burning Season page
At a location greater than 75 feet from any dwelling
- Cook and Beach Fires, Scope, Sandwich Fire Department - Cook and Beach Fires (fire pits, chimineas) regulations, p. 1
Residents and property owners 18 years and older may have a small cook fire on their private property without a permit from the fire department. However, the burning of brush, slash, construction debris, grass, and leaves is strictly prohibited outside of the burning season.
- Cook and Beach Fires, Burning Requirements, Sandwich Fire Department - Cook and Beach Fires (fire pits, chimineas) regulations, p. 1
Flames in pits shall not exceed 3 feet in width and 2 feet in height.
- Cook and Beach Fires, Burning Requirements, Sandwich Fire Department - Cook and Beach Fires (fire pits, chimineas) regulations, p. 1
The container shall not be located less than 15 feet away from any structures or combustible materials. The fire must be constantly attended and supervised until the fire has been completely extinguished.
- Open Burning Season page, Fire Department - Open Burning Season page
Any violation may result in loss of burning privileges for the remainder of the season, costs incurred for fire control, and or criminal charges per Massachusetts General Law Chapter 48 sec. 13 with a fine up to $100.00 and or imprisonment for one month
- Beach Rules and Regulations, cook fires, Town of Sandwich Beach Rules and Regulations (Board of Selectmen, adopted 06-24-10, amended 07-28-16), p. 2
Bonfires are prohibited in all locations. A permit from the Sandwich Fire Department is required to build a “cook fire” on the beach. Cook fires must be built below the high tide line, and are prohibited in all areas on Town Beach east of the boardwalk.
- Cook and Beach Fires, Procedure, Sandwich Fire Department - Cook and Beach Fires (fire pits, chimineas) regulations, p. 1
Adhearing to the requirements above anyone 18 years or older who would like to have a cook fire or beach fire shall call the Sandwich Fire Department at 508-888-0525 Ext 5 and you will be required to leave the following information: