Burn permits and fire pits in Worcester, Massachusetts
No. The City of Worcester says open burning is banned year-round, because Worcester is one of 22 Massachusetts cities and towns where state air rules (310 CMR 7.07) prohibit it completely, so you can't get a brush-burning permit. The city's ordinances have no separate fire pit rule, but they ban grills and other open-flame cookers on the porches and balconies of multi-family buildings.
| Brush / open burning | Prohibited year-round (no permits) [1] |
| Grills on multi-family porches/balconies | Prohibited [2] |
| Fine for grill on porch/balcony | $20 to $50 per violation [3] |
| Malicious burning of property | $300 fine per violation [4] |
Open burning is banned
The City of Worcester's official answer to "Can I conduct open burning on my property?" is no. Massachusetts air pollution rules, 310 CMR 7.07(3)(e), ban open burning completely in 22 urbanized municipalities, including Worcester [1]. So the seasonal brush-burning permits that the Fire Department issues in many towns (January 15 to May 1) aren't available here.
Fire pits and recreational fires
We found no local ordinance on backyard fire pits, chimineas or recreational fires. Under state guidance (shown below), a small cooking fire in a non-flammable enclosure is treated differently from open burning, but a fire pit used for anything other than cooking falls under the open-burning rules, which in Worcester means a total ban. Ask the Worcester Fire Department about a specific device before using it.
Grills on porches and balconies
Worcester's Fire Safety chapter bans lighting or using charcoal cookers, braziers, hibachis, grills and gas or propane stoves on the front or rear porches or balconies of multi-family homes [2]. The ban doesn't apply to townhouses or row houses where no unit sits above another. Landlords must give tenants written notice of the rule. A violation brings a fine of $20 to $50 [3].
Other fire rules
It's a local offense to willfully and maliciously set fire to any real or personal property, with a $300 fine per violation [4]. Fireworks are banned except for licensed displays.
See how Worcester compares with 8+ other Massachusetts towns on burn permits & backyard fires →
Next steps
- Don't burn brush, leaves or yard waste anywhere in Worcester; ask the Department of Public Works & Parks about yard waste disposal options.
- Before using a fire pit or chiminea, contact the Worcester Fire Department, Fire Prevention, to ask whether your setup counts as a cooking fire.
- If you live in or own a multi-family building, keep grills and propane stoves off porches and balconies.
Common questions
- Can I get a burn permit in Worcester, MA?
- No. Worcester is one of 22 Massachusetts communities where state air rules (310 CMR 7.07) ban open burning completely, so open burning is prohibited year-round and no brush-burning permits are issued.
- Are fire pits allowed in Worcester, Massachusetts?
- It depends. Worcester has no local fire pit ordinance. Under state guidance a small cooking fire in a non-flammable enclosure is treated differently, but a fire pit used for anything other than cooking falls under the open-burning ban. Ask the Worcester Fire Department about your device.
- Can I use a grill on my porch in Worcester, MA?
- Not on multi-family homes. Worcester bans charcoal grills, hibachis and gas or propane stoves on the porches and balconies of multi-family buildings, with a fine of $20 to $50. Townhouses where no unit sits above another are exempt.
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
- City FAQ: Can I conduct open burning on my property?, FAQ: Can I conduct open burning on my property?, p. 1
No. Open burning prohibitions are authorized by the Massachusetts Air Pollution Control Regulation. 310 CMR 7.07(3)(e) prohibits open burning completely in 22 urbanized municipalities, which includes the City of Worcester.
- R.O. c. 10, §3(a) Open Flame Devices, Revised Ordinances of 2008, Part One - Regulatory Ordinances (as amended through September 8, 2026), p. 192
(a) No charcoal cooker, brazier, hibachi or grill or any gasoline or other flammable liquid or liquified petroleum gas-fire stove or similar device shall be ignited or used on the front porch, rear porch, or on the balconies of any multi-family residential building or similar occupancy.
- R.O. c. 10, §3(b), Revised Ordinances of 2008, Part One - Regulatory Ordinances (as amended through September 8, 2026), p. 192
(b) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty (nor more than fifty) dollars for each violation.
- R.O. c. 10, §4(b) Malicious Bonfires, Revised Ordinances of 2008, Part One - Regulatory Ordinances (as amended through September 8, 2026), p. 192
(b) The placing or distribution of any flammable, explosive or combustible material or substance or any device in or against any real or personal property in an arrangement or preparation with intent eventually to willfully and maliciously set fire to or burn such real or personal property, or to procure the setting fire to or burning of such real or personal property shall constitute an attempt. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of three hundred dollars for each violation.