Fire Regulations in Chelsea, MA (2026)
5 verified fire regulations for Chelsea, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Chelsea bans open bonfires or other fires in a public way or close to any building unless the person first obtains a permit from the chief of the fire department, under Code of Ordinances Section 6-95. The permit requirement tracks the state fire prevention regulation at 527 CMR 10.22, and the fire chief controls whether and how a recreational or bonfire-style fire is allowed.
Chelsea Bonfire and Outdoor Fire Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsChelsea Code of Ordinances § 6-95
No person shall make a bonfire or any other fire in a public way or in close proximity to any building, except in accordance with a permit from the chief of the fire department as required by 527 CMR 10.22.
Fireworks
ALL consumer fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts under MGL c. 148 §39, including sparklers, firecrackers, Roman candles, and sky rockets. Chelsea enforces state law with no local exceptions. Only licensed professional displays permitted.
Chelsea Fireworks Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsMGL c. 148, § 39
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
Chelsea may require vegetation management for fire safety. MA does not have a statewide defensible space mandate. Local property maintenance applies.
Chelsea Brush Clearance & Vegetation Management
Few RestrictionsM.G.L. c. 48, § 13
s; conditions and restrictions; penalty for violation 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 p...
Outdoor Burning
Open burning is BANNED in Chelsea at all times. Chelsea is one of approximately 22 Massachusetts cities that permanently prohibits outdoor burning. Fire pits and chimineas are also prohibited unless specifically approved by the Chelsea Fire Department.
Chelsea Outdoor Burning Rules
Heavy RestrictionsChelsea Fire Prevention Division — Open Burning Policy (MGL c. 148; 527 CMR)
OPEN BURNING IS NOT PERMITTED Per order of the Fire Chief, open burning is not permitted in the City of Chelsea at anytime The City of Chelsea is one of 22 cities in the State of Massachusetts that does not allow open burning. The Fire Prevention Division is responsible for providing fire and life safety protection to the public by ensuring fire code compliance and enforcement of the Fire Preve...
Smoke Detectors
Chelsea requires automatic fire warning and smoke detector systems to be installed in buildings in accordance with state law, under Code of Ordinances Section 6-98, and puts the chief of the fire department in charge of enforcing that requirement. Anyone unhappy with the chief's order or interpretation can appeal to the state board of appeals within 45 days.
Chelsea Smoke Detector Installation Requirement
Some RestrictionsChelsea Code of Ordinances § 6-98
(a)Automatic fire warning and smoke detector systems shall be installed in buildings in accordance with M.G.L. c. 143 §§ 26—27.(b)The chief of the fire department shall enforce the provisions of this section.(c)Whoever is aggrieved by the chief of the fire department's interpretation, order, requirement, direction or failure to act under the provisions of this section may, within 45 days after ...