Burn permits and fire pits in Wayland, Massachusetts
Brush burning is allowed only during open burning season, January 15 to May 1, with a free permit from the Wayland Fire Department. You also have to activate the permit by phone each day you burn, and the Fire Chief can deny burning on any day because of weather.
| Burning season | January 15 to May 1 [1] |
| Permit | Required from the Fire Department [1] |
| Permit cost | Free [2] |
| Daily activation | Call the automated line at 833-995-2120 each day you burn [3] |
| No computer access | Call the Joint Communication Center at 508-358-4747 [4] |
When and how
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection regulates open burning, and the Wayland Fire Department enforces the rules locally. The season runs from January 15 to May 1, and you need a valid permit from the Fire Department. The Fire Chief can deny burning on any day because of weather or environmental conditions [1].
Getting a permit
The Fire Department starts issuing permits on January 15, and they're free [2]. Apply online (the town links to its burn-permit site and suggests Google Chrome) by creating an account and agreeing to the open burning terms and conditions. Your permit is good until May 1. If you don't have computer access, call the Joint Communication Center at 508-358-4747 and they'll set up an account for you [4].
Daily activation
A permit alone isn't enough. Each day you want to burn, activate it through the automated line at 833-995-2120, using the phone number you registered with [3].
What the town page doesn't cover
Wayland's Open Burning page doesn't list which materials you can burn, burning hours, or distance from buildings. Those come from the state open burning rules shown separately on this page. The town page also says nothing about recreational fire pits or chimineas. For those, check with the Fire Department (Public Safety Building, 38 Cochituate Road; 508-358-4747) before lighting one.
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Next steps
- On or after January 15, create an account on Wayland's online burn permit system (linked from the Fire Department's Open Burning page) or call 508-358-4747 if you have no computer access.
- Review the Massachusetts open burning guidelines and the Fire Department's safety tips before burning.
- On each day you plan to burn, activate your permit by calling 833-995-2120 from the phone number on your account.
- For a backyard fire pit, ask the Fire Department (508-358-4747) what rules apply.
Common questions
- Can I burn brush in Wayland, Massachusetts?
- Yes, only during open burning season, January 15 to May 1, with a free permit from the Wayland Fire Department.
- Do I need to call before burning in Wayland, Massachusetts?
- Yes. Activate the permit each day you burn by calling the automated line at 833-995-2120. Without computer access, call the Joint Communication Center at 508-358-4747.
- Can the fire chief stop me from burning in Wayland, Massachusetts?
- Yes. The Fire Chief can deny burning on any day because of weather.
- Are fire pits allowed in Wayland, Massachusetts?
- Fire pits and recreational fires aren't addressed in the local source, which is a Fire Department web page. State rules cover them, so ask the Fire Department.
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 & EMS, Open Burning, Fire Department - Open Burning, p. 1
Open burning season runs from January 15th to May 1st. A valid permit obtained from the local Fire Department is required. The Fire Chief reserves the right to deny open burning on any day due to weather or environmental conditions.
- Fire & EMS, Open Burning, Fire Department - Open Burning, p. 1
The Fire Department will begin issuing open burning permits beginning on January 15th. There is no cost for the burn permit.
- Fire & EMS, Open Burning (Daily Activation of Your Permit), Fire Department - Open Burning, p. 1
Each day you wish to burn, you must activate your permit by contacting the automated attendant at 833-995-2120. You will need the telephone number that you used when you created your account.
- Fire & EMS, Open Burning (Obtaining a Permit), Fire Department - Open Burning, p. 1
If you do not have computer access, please call the Joint Communication Center at 508-358-4747 to create an account.