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Burn permits and fire pits in Wakefield, Massachusetts

Wakefield, Middlesex County · Bylaws checked 2026-10-20 · Reviewed · 8 cited sections

Allowed with a permit

Brush burning is allowed in Wakefield only from January 15 to May 1, between 10 am and 4 pm, at least 75 feet from buildings, with a permit from the Fire Department: call 781-246-6432 on every day you plan to burn. The Fire Department says fire pits and recreational fires are allowed year-round if they stay no more than 3 feet across, are attended at all times and have 75 feet cleared around them. State rules treat a fire pit used for anything other than cooking as open burning, so state law may limit that year-round allowance; ask the Fire Prevention Office.

Open-burning seasonJanuary 15 to May 1 [1]
Fire pits and recreational firesAllowed year-round [1]
Burn permitCall the Fire Department (781-246-6432); verbal permit good for two days, but call each day you burn [2]
Burning hours10 am to 4 pm [3]
Distance from buildingsAt least 75 feet from dwellings, structures and combustibles [8]
Max fire size (recreational)3 feet in diameter [5]
Fire pit clearance75 feet cleared in all directions, on a flat noncombustible surface [6]

Brush burning season

The Wakefield Fire Department allows open burning only from January 15 to May 1 each year; fire pits and recreational burning are allowed year-round [1]. State fire wardens decide each day whether conditions are safe, and permits can be rescinded when weather or air quality changes.

Getting a permit

There's no paper form. Call the Fire Department; the permit is verbal, stored in the department's database and good for two days, but you must call each day you intend to burn so they can confirm conditions [2]. Be ready to give your name, address and where on the property you'll burn. Burning is typically allowed between 10 am and 4 pm and at least 75 feet from all dwellings [3].

What you can burn

Brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris are allowed. Not allowed: material from commercial or industrial land clearing; grass, hay, leaves, stumps or tires; construction or demolition debris; and household trash [4]. Keep the pile as close as possible to where the material came from.

Fire pits and recreational fires

A fire must be no more than 3 feet across; anything larger is no longer a cooking or recreational fire [5]. Place a fire pit on a flat, noncombustible surface with 75 feet cleared in every direction, including overhead branches, sheds and awnings [6]. Fires shall not be within 75 feet of a structure or combustible materials [8]. Every fire must be attended until it's out, with an extinguisher, hose or bucket at hand. Burn only seasoned wood, charcoal or manufactured fuel; never trash, painted or stained wood, or accelerants. Recreational fires may be barred on bad air-quality days or fire-danger class 4 or 5 ("Red Flag") days. Note that state rules treat a fire pit used for anything other than cooking as open burning (see the state rules section), so state law may override the year-round allowance for purely recreational fires; ask the Fire Prevention Office if unsure.

Complaints

If neighbors complain about smoke or smell, the department will investigate and may order you to put the fire out [7].

These rules come from the Fire Department's web page, which summarizes state fire and environmental regulations. We found no local burning bylaw on the town website, but Wakefield's General Bylaws (posted only on eCode360) weren't reviewed and could contain burning or nuisance rules.

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Next steps

  1. For brush, wait for the January 15 to May 1 season and call the Wakefield Fire Department at 781-246-6432 on the morning of each day you want to burn.
  2. Set up the burn pile at least 75 feet from all buildings and combustibles, burn only between 10 am and 4 pm, and keep a hose or extinguisher ready.
  3. For a fire pit, use a flat noncombustible surface, clear 75 feet around it, and keep fires under 3 feet across.
  4. Questions about fire pits or recreational fires: Fire Prevention Office, 781-246-6435.

Common questions

Do I need a burn permit in Wakefield, Massachusetts?
Yes. Brush burning needs a verbal permit from the Wakefield Fire Department, and you must call on every day you plan to burn. The permit is good for two days, and burning is allowed only from January 15 to May 1.
When is burning season in Wakefield, MA?
Open burning is allowed January 15 to May 1, typically between 10 am and 4 pm and at least 75 feet from dwellings. State fire wardens decide each day whether conditions are safe, and permits can be rescinded.
Are fire pits allowed in Wakefield, Massachusetts?
The Fire Department says fire pits and recreational fires are allowed year-round if no more than 3 feet across, attended at all times, with 75 feet cleared around them. State rules treat a fire pit used for anything other than cooking as open burning, so state law may limit that allowance; ask the Fire Prevention Office.
Can you burn leaves in Wakefield, MA?
No. Wakefield allows burning brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris, but not grass, hay, leaves, stumps, tires, construction or demolition debris, or household trash.

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.

State sources: Department of Fire Services, Open Burning Safety · M.G.L. c. 48, §13 (permission required for open-air fires) · 310 CMR 7.00, Air Pollution Control (includes 7.07 Open Burning)

What the bylaw says

Exact text from Wakefield's published bylaws. Section numbers are as printed in the source.

  1. Fire Department, Open Burning & Fire Pits, Fire Department - Open Burning & Fire Pits page
    The Wakefield Fire Department allows "open burning" from January 15 to May 1 each year. Fire pits and recreational burning are allowed year-round.
  2. Fire Department, Open-Burning Permits, Fire Department - Open Burning & Fire Pits page
    To obtain a permit, call the Fire Department at 781-246-6432. The open-burning permit is verbal and stored within our database; it is good for two days. You must call the Fire Department each day you intend to burn to verify the conditions are suitable, as burning is dependent on several factors including the wind and weather conditions.
  3. Fire Department, Open-Burning Permits, Fire Department - Open Burning & Fire Pits page
    Open burning is typically permitted: Between 10 am and 4 pm from January 15 to May 1 At least 75 feet from all dwellings
  4. Fire Department, What Can Be Burned, Fire Department - Open Burning & Fire Pits page
    You may burn brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris. You may not burn brush, trees, cane, or driftwood from commercial or industrial land clearing; grass, hay, leaves, stumps, or tires; construction materials or demolition debris; or household trash or goods.
  5. Fire Department, Burning Regulations & Safety, Fire Department - Open Burning & Fire Pits page
    The fire must be small and manageable, no greater than 3 feet in diameter. By definition, a fire larger than 3 feet in diameter is no longer considered a cooking or recreational fire (IFC).
  6. Fire Department, Burning Regulations & Safety, Fire Department - Open Burning & Fire Pits page
    A fire pit should be placed on a flat, noncombustible surface. An area of 75 feet should be cleared around the fire pit in all directions.
  7. Fire Department, Burning Regulations & Safety, Fire Department - Open Burning & Fire Pits page
    If the Wakefield Fire Department receives complaints from neighbors that the smoke or smell is bothersome, we will investigate, and if deemed necessary, you may be instructed to extinguish the fire. (MGL Chapter 148) and (527 CMR).
  8. Fire Department, Burning Regulations & Safety, Fire Department - Open Burning & Fire Pits page
    Fires shall not be conducted within 75 feet of a structure or combustible materials. (DEP and SFM)
This page summarizes Wakefield's posted bylaws as of 2026-10-20. Bylaws are amended, and individual lots can have overlays, subdivision covenants, or HOA rules that are stricter. Confirm with Inspectional Services & Zoning (Building Inspector Benjamin DeChristoforo enforces the State Building Code and the Zoning Bylaw, s.10.1), Town Hall, 1 Lafayette Street, Wakefield MA 01880; building permits submitted in person Mon-Thu 8-9:30 AM or 1-2 PM, Fri 8-9:30 AM (781-246-6388) before you build. Spot an error?