Fire Regulations in Middlesex County, MA (2026)

7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 5 cities in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Verified from official government sources

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

Fire Pit Rules

Middlesex County has no fire code; county government was abolished in 1997. Recreational fires in the 54 Middlesex towns are governed by 527 CMR 1.00 (Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code, based on NFPA 1, 2021) and 310 CMR 7.07 (open burning). Open burning is BANNED year-round in Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, Newton, Watertown, Waltham, and Lowell. In other Middlesex towns, recreational fires must be 25 feet from any structure and require a local fire chief permit.

Fire Pit Rules in Middlesex County

Heavy Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Fireworks

ALL consumer fireworks are ILLEGAL in Massachusetts (MGL c.148 §39) - including sparklers. MA is one of the strictest states in the nation.

Middlesex County Fireworks Regulations

Heavy Restrictions

Chapter 148

For the purposes of this section the word ''fireworks'' shall include compositions, substances or other articles and shall also include blank cartridges or toy cannons in which explosives are used, the type of toy balloon which requires fire underneath to propel the same, firecrackers, cherry bombs, silver salutes, M-80's, torpedoes, sky-rockets, Roman candles, sparklers, rockets, wheels, color...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Brush Clearance

Open burning of brush in Middlesex County is regulated by 310 CMR 7.07 and requires a permit from the local fire department. Season runs January 15 to May 1 annually.

Brush Clearance and Open Burning in Middlesex County

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Outdoor Burning

Open burning in Middlesex County is permitted ONLY January 15 through May 1 each year under 310 CMR 7.07, and only with a permit from the local fire department. All consumer fireworks remain banned statewide.

Outdoor Burning Rules in Middlesex County

Heavy Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Wildfire Zones

Middlesex County has low wildfire risk and no designated wildfire hazard zones. The MA Department of Conservation and Recreation monitors fire danger statewide through the Bureau of Forest Fire Control.

Wildfire Zone Rules in Middlesex County

Few Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors in Middlesex County follow 527 CMR 1.00 and MGL c.148 s.26F. Homes sold or transferred require a Smoke Certificate inspection by the local fire department before closing.

Smoke Detector Rules in Middlesex County

Heavy Restrictions

MGL Part I, Title XX, Chapter 148, Section 26F — Residential buildings or structures; equipping with smoke detectors upon sale or transfer

Section 26F. 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 sec...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Backyard Fires

Recreational backyard fires in Middlesex County require a permit from the local fire department under 527 CMR 1.00. Fire pits must be under 3 feet wide, 25 feet from structures, and attended.