Fire Regulations in Boston, MA (2026)
6 verified fire regulations for Boston, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
A recreational open-air fire in a Boston backyard, a fire pit, chiminea, or torch, needs a Fire Commissioner permit capped at 4 square feet. The fee is $50 per month citywide, dropping to $15 per month if the permit is limited to a single estate.
Boston Backyard Fire Pit Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsBoston Code of Ordinances § 18-1.6(CC)
(CC) Fire (small or torch) in open air, permit for. The fee for a permit granted by a Fire Commissioner under Chapter 355 of the Acts of 1943 to set, maintain or increase in the open air a flame or flames in connection with one or more appliances or devices using or producing flame or a fire or fires not exceeding 4 square feet in area shall be $50 for each monthly period in which such permit...
Fireworks
All consumer fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts including sparklers. Boston enforces this strict statewide ban with confiscation and fines under MGL Chapter 148 Section 39.
Boston Fireworks Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsMGL c.148 § 39 — Sales, possession, use of fireworks; penalties
Section 39. No person shall sell, or keep or offer for sale, or have in his possession, or under his control, or use, or explode, or cause to explode, any combustible or explosive composition or substance, or any combination of such compositions or substances, or any other article, which was prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration...
Brush Clearance
Boston may require vegetation management for fire safety. MA does not have a statewide defensible space mandate. Local property maintenance applies.
Boston Brush Clearance & Vegetation Management
Few RestrictionsMGL c.48 § 13 — Open Burning Permit Conditions (incl. brush/debris)
Section 13. No person shall set, maintain or increase a fire in the open air at any time except by permission, covering a period not exceeding two days from the date thereof, granted by the forest warden or chief of the fire department in cities and towns, or, in cities having such an official, the fire commissioner [...] The forest warden, chief or fire commissioner, as the case may be, may ma...
Outdoor Burning
Open burning is banned year-round in Boston. The city is one of approximately 40 MA municipalities where the statewide seasonal open burning period does not apply.
Boston Outdoor Burning Rules
Heavy RestrictionsMGL c.48 § 13 — Setting open air fires; conditions and restrictions; penalty
Section 13. No person shall set, maintain or increase a fire in the open air at any time except by permission, covering a period not exceeding two days from the date thereof, granted by the forest warden or chief of the fire department in cities and towns, or, in cities having such an official, the fire commissioner; provided, that if such permission is not in writing, a written record of the g...
Smoke Detectors
Boston Code § 21-6 puts an affirmative, standalone duty on every building owner: install fire and/or smoke detectors on the premises as defined by M.G.L. c. 148, § 26C, regardless of what any other city ordinance says.
Boston Fire and Smoke Detector Installation Duty
Some RestrictionsBoston Code of Ordinances § 21-6
Notwithstanding the provisions of any other ordinance now in existence, it shall be the duty and responsibility of the legal owner or his or her agent of a building structure to install fire and/or smoke detectors within the premises as defined in M.G.L. Chapter 148, Section 26C.
Propane Storage
Storing propane at a Boston property needs a Building Code permit priced at $20 plus $5 per 100 pounds stored. A cheaper, separate permit covers propane kept in a building under active construction or renovation, at $5 plus $2.50 per heating appliance.
Boston Residential Propane Storage Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsBoston Code of Ordinances § 18-1.7(E)-(F)
(E) Gasfitting installation, alteration or repair permit. The fees for receiving an application for a permit under Section 105 of the commonwealth's Building Code, being 780 CMR 105, to install, alter or repair permanent gasfitting in new construction shall be a primary fee of $20 plus an additional fee of $5 for each appliance or meter installed, altered or substantially repaired. The fee fo...