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 burning in Middlesex County is governed by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection regulations at 310 CMR 7.07 and MGL Chapter 48. Open burning of brush is only permitted between January 15 and May 1 annually, and only in towns where the fire department and DEP allow it. Densely developed Middlesex cities including Cambridge, Somerville, Everett, Medford, Malden, Arlington, Belmont, Watertown, Waltham, Newton, and Chelsea prohibit open burning entirely due to urban density and air quality concerns. Less dense towns like Groton, Dunstable, Ashby, Townsend, Pepperell, and Shirley allow permitted burning of brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris from 10 AM to 4 PM on days when air quality allows. Residents must obtain a daily burn permit from the local fire department (many use online permit systems like BurnPermits.com). Burning household trash, demolition debris, leaves, stumps, tires, or construction materials is prohibited statewide year-round.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Middlesex County, MA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle brush clearance.
See how Arlington's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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