Fire Regulations in Lowell, MA (2026)
7 verified fire regulations for Lowell, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pit Rules
Wood-burning fire pits, chimineas, and outdoor wood-burning fireplaces are prohibited in Lowell because open burning is banned at all times under 310 CMR 7.07(3)(e). The Lowell Fire Department does authorize propane- and natural-gas-fired fire pits if they meet 527 CMR 1.0 placement and safety requirements.
Wood fire pits banned; gas fire pits allowed
Heavy RestrictionsLowell Fire Department, Open/Outside Burning Regulations (07/02/2018); 527 CMR 1.0
Burning is not allowed in fire pits, chimineas or outdoor wood burning fireplaces/stoves. ... Lowell Fire authorizes the use of Propane or Natural gas fired heating appliances (fire pits or fireplaces) as they don't produce smoke, flying embers and are small in size. ... COOKING AND HEATING APPLIANCES ARE ALLOWED ONLY IF THEY MEET THE FOLLOWING 527 CMR 1.0 REQUIREMENTS: Must be 10' from any str...
Fireworks
All consumer fireworks are illegal to sell, possess, or use in Lowell. Massachusetts is one of the few states with a total ban under M.G.L. c. 148, section 39, and Lowell City Code section 155-17 separately prohibits fireworks with a $500 fine per violation.
All consumer fireworks illegal in Lowell
Heavy RestrictionsM.G.L. c. 148, 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 an audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detona...
Brush Clearance
Lowell property owners must keep yards and lots free of dead brush, tall grass, and fire hazards under the city nuisance ordinance and state fire code, though there are no wildland-urban interface clearance distances because Lowell is fully urbanized.
Lowell Brush Clearance Rules
Some RestrictionsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 48, § 13 (Open Burning Permit)
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 granting ther...
Outdoor Burning
Lowell is one of 22 Massachusetts communities where open burning is prohibited at all times. Under 310 CMR 7.07(3)(e), no resident may conduct open/outside burning of brush, leaves, or other materials in the city, regardless of season.
Open burning banned at all times in Lowell
Heavy RestrictionsLowell Fire Department, Open/Outside Burning Regulations (07/02/2018); 310 CMR 7.07(3)(e)
The Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Lowell Fire Department limit open burning for public health and safety reasons. Per MassDEP open burning is prohibited in 22 densely built and populated cities and towns. Pursuant to 310 CMR 7.07 (3) (e), Lowell is one of 22 communities in the Commonwealth in which open burning is NOT PERMITTED. This does not apply to the use of charc...
Wildfire Zones
Lowell has no designated wildfire hazard zones because it is a fully urbanized mill city in the Merrimack Valley with limited wildland interface. The primary natural hazard is flooding from the Merrimack and Concord Rivers.
Lowell Wildfire Zones
Few RestrictionsSmoke Detectors
All Lowell residences must have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors meeting Massachusetts requirements under 527 CMR 1.00 and MGL c.148. A Fire Department inspection certificate is required before any residential property sale.
Lowell Smoke Detector Rules
Heavy RestrictionsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, § 26F (Smoke Detectors at Sale)
All buildings or structures occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes and not regulated by sections twenty-six A, twenty-six B or twenty-six C shall, upon the sale or transfer of such building or structure, be equipped by the seller with approved smoke detectors as provided in section twenty-six E. The head of the fire department shall enforce the provisions of this section. The pro...
Backyard Fires
Backyard recreational fires (wood campfires, bonfires) are not permitted in Lowell at any time because the city is one of 22 Massachusetts communities where open burning is prohibited under 310 CMR 7.07(3)(e). Only charcoal/propane cooking grills and gas-fired heating appliances are allowed.
Backyard recreational fires not permitted
Heavy RestrictionsLowell Fire Department, Open/Outside Burning Regulations (07/02/2018); 310 CMR 7.07(3)(e)
Pursuant to 310 CMR 7.07 (3) (e), Lowell is one of 22 communities in the Commonwealth in which open burning is NOT PERMITTED. This does not apply to the use of charcoal and propane grills for cooking meeting all the requirements within. Burning is not allowed in fire pits, chimineas or outdoor wood burning fireplaces/stoves. ... Appliances can be used on open (no roof) first floor porches, deck...
Looking for Middlesex County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lowell city rules.
Fire Regulations in Middlesex County →