Fire pit rules in Cambridge, MA — also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances — cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Cambridge allows only small recreational fires in approved portable devices under 527 CMR 1.00. Permits from Cambridge Fire are required for most outdoor burning given the citys density.
Cambridge Fire Department enforces the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code (527 CMR 1.00), which governs all outdoor fires in the city. Because Cambridge is a dense urban environment with closely spaced wood-frame triple-deckers and apartment buildings, recreational fire pits are tightly restricted. Small cooking fires in UL-listed portable devices on private property may be permitted but must be at least 25 feet from any structure, attended continuously by an adult, and extinguished promptly. Open wood fires on the ground are generally prohibited. Propane and natural gas fire features are more commonly permitted because they do not produce embers. Residents must check with Cambridge Fire Prevention at 617-349-4900 before using any outdoor fire feature, particularly on balconies or rooftops of multi-family buildings where local rules typically prohibit them entirely.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle fire pit rules.
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