Burn permits and fire pits in Wellesley, Massachusetts
Backyard fire pits, chimineas and outdoor fireplaces at one- and two-family homes need a $35 permit from the Wellesley Fire Department, and the fire must be at least 20 ft from buildings, property lines and trees. The town sources we reviewed don't set local brush-burning rules; seasonal brush burning follows state rules and needs a Fire Department permit.
| Fire pit permit | Required; apply online under Permits and Licensing, form FP-06 (miscellaneous) [2] |
| Permit fee | $35, paid online [3] |
| Who can get one | 1- and 2-family homes [1] |
| Distance from buildings, property lines and trees | 20 feet [4] |
| Clearance from combustibles | 3 feet around the device [5] |
| Fuel and supervision | Dry seasoned firewood only; constantly attended by an adult [6] |
Fire pits, chimineas and outdoor fireplaces
The Wellesley Fire Department allows permits for chimineas, fire pits and outdoor fireplaces at one- and two-family homes [1]. You apply online through the town website under Permits and Licensing, choosing FP-06 (miscellaneous) [2], pay a $35 fee during the application [3], and upload a site plan showing where the fire pit will go and how far it is from everything around it.
Where it can go and how to use it
The device must be 20 ft from any building, combustible structure, residence, canopy, roof, property line, overhang or trees [4], with 3 ft of clearance from combustibles around it [5]. Burn only dry seasoned firewood, and an adult must attend the fire the whole time it's lit [6]. Follow the manufacturer's safety instructions and set the device on a flat, level, noncombustible surface. The Fire Department describes these as guidelines, and the Fire Inspector makes the final decision [7]. On smaller lots, the 20-ft property-line distance can rule out a fire pit entirely.
Brush burning
The town documents we reviewed don't set local brush-burning rules. The Town Bylaws mention open burning permits under state law (G.L. c. 48, §13) only to exempt them from the tax-delinquency permit rule [8]. Under state rules, brush burning is allowed only in season (January 15 to May 1) with a permit from the local fire department; see the state rules on this page. The Fire Department's Burn Permits web page had no readable text when we checked, so confirm current procedures with the department.
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Next steps
- Measure your yard to confirm a spot at least 20 ft from your house, other structures, trees and every property line.
- Apply online at wellesleyma.gov under Permits and Licensing, form FP-06 (miscellaneous), upload a site plan, and pay the $35 fee.
- Wait for Fire Inspector approval before using the fire pit; burn only dry seasoned firewood and keep an adult with the fire.
- For brush burning, contact the Wellesley Fire Department for a seasonal open-burning permit (state season January 15 to May 1).
Common questions
- Do I need a permit for a fire pit in Wellesley, Massachusetts?
- Yes. Backyard fire pits, chimineas and outdoor fireplaces at one- and two-family homes need a $35 permit from the Wellesley Fire Department, applied for online.
- How far must a fire pit be from my house in Wellesley, Massachusetts?
- At least 20 ft from buildings, property lines and trees, with 3 feet of clearance from combustibles around the device.
- Can I burn brush in Wellesley, Massachusetts?
- The town sources reviewed don't set local brush-burning rules. Seasonal brush burning follows state rules and needs a Fire Department permit.
- What can I burn in a fire pit in Wellesley, Massachusetts?
- Dry seasoned firewood only, and the fire must be constantly attended by an adult.
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 Dept., Outdoor Fireplaces/Chiminea, Fire Department - Outdoor Fireplaces/Chiminea (fire pit permit conditions)
Permits for Chimineas, Fire Pits, Outdoor Fireplaces are allowed under these conditions. 1 and 2 family home.
- Fire Dept., Outdoor Fireplaces/Chiminea, Fire Department - Outdoor Fireplaces/Chiminea (fire pit permit conditions)
Permits must be applied for at: www.wellesleyma.gov (Permits and Licensing) and then FP-06 (miscellaneous).
- Fire Dept., Outdoor Fireplaces/Chiminea, Fire Department - Outdoor Fireplaces/Chiminea (fire pit permit conditions)
Permit fee of $35 must be paid for online during application process.
- Fire Dept., Outdoor Fireplaces/Chiminea, Fire Department - Outdoor Fireplaces/Chiminea (fire pit permit conditions)
20' from any building, combustible structure, residence, canopy, roof, property line, overhang or trees.
- Fire Dept., Outdoor Fireplaces/Chiminea, Fire Department - Outdoor Fireplaces/Chiminea (fire pit permit conditions)
3' clearance from combustibles around device.
- Fire Dept., Outdoor Fireplaces/Chiminea, Fire Department - Outdoor Fireplaces/Chiminea (fire pit permit conditions)
The use of dry seasoned firewood only. Constantly attended by an adult while in use.
- Fire Dept., Outdoor Fireplaces/Chiminea, Fire Department - Outdoor Fireplaces/Chiminea (fire pit permit conditions)
*The above are guidelines, final determination will be made by the Fire Inspector
- Town Bylaws Sec. 19.43 (Treasurer and Collector of Taxes; permit denial for unpaid taxes, exemptions), Town Bylaws (as amended through ATM 2026), p. 28
This section shall not apply to the following licenses and permits: Open Burning Permits (G.L. c. 48, § 13); Bicycle Permits (G.L. c. 85, §11A);