Fire Regulations in Bristol County, MA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Bristol County, Massachusetts.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Bristol County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Fireworks

All consumer fireworks including sparklers are illegal throughout Massachusetts under MGL Ch. 148 §39. This applies to all of Bristol County. Only licensed professionals may conduct public displays with permits from the local fire department and State Fire Marshal.

Bristol County Fireworks Regulations

Heavy Restrictions

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, § 39 – Fireworks; sale, possession, and use

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, or detonat...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Outdoor Burning

Most Bristol County towns allow open burning from January 15 to May 1 with a free fire department permit under 310 CMR 7.07. However, Fall River and New Bedford are on the MassDEP list of communities where open burning is permanently banned due to population density.

Bristol County Outdoor Burning Rules

Some Restrictions

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 48, § 13 – Open burning; permits

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...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Fire Regulations by City in Bristol County

4 cities in Bristol County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

New BedfordPop. 101,079

1 verified rule • Outdoor Burning

Fall RiverPop. 93,885

4 verified rules • Fireworks, Outdoor Burning

TauntonPop. 59,365

2 verified rules • Fireworks, Smoke Detectors

AttleboroPop. 45,237

2 verified rules • Fireworks, Outdoor Burning

All Bristol County ordinances

See every category we cover for Bristol County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Bristol County Ordinance Hub →