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Plymouth County, MA Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Fire pit rules in Plymouth County, MA, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.

Key Facts

Permit Period
Two days maximum
State Law
MGL c.48 §13
Cooking Fire
Exempt on sand/beach
Fine
Up to $500 + costs

Summary

Recreational fire pits are legal across Plymouth County communities, but any open-air fire needs a permit from the local fire department under MGL c.48 §13. Cooking fires on sand or beach are exempt.

City-specific rules exist: Brockton has its own fire pits & backyard fires rules that differ from Plymouth County's county-level regulations. If you live in Brockton, check the city-specific page instead.

persons eighteen years of age or older may, without a permit, set, maintain or increase a reasonable fire for the purpose of cooking, upon sandy or gravelly land free from living or dead vegetation or upon sandy or rocky beaches bordering on tidewater, if the fire is enclosed within rocks, metal or other nonflammable material.

Source: Massachusetts General LawsView official code

Full Breakdown

Every Plymouth County town, Brockton, Plymouth, Duxbury, Marshfield, Scituate, Wareham, Middleborough, follows MGL c.48 §13. No open-air fire may be set without permission from the forest warden or fire chief, and each permit covers no more than two days. Adults 18 or older may light a cooking fire without a permit on sandy or gravelly land free of vegetation, or on sandy or rocky tidewater beaches, if the fire is enclosed in rocks, metal, or other nonflammable material. Fire departments issue permits daily and may revoke them when conditions turn dry.

Violations & Fines

Setting an open-air fire without a permit draws a fine of up to $500 plus the cost of suppression, or imprisonment for up to one month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for a backyard fire pit?
Yes. Any open-air fire needs a fire department permit under MGL c.48 §13, valid for up to two days.
Is a cooking fire exempt?
A cooking fire on sandy or gravelly land free of vegetation, enclosed in nonflammable material, needs no permit.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Plymouth County

Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsBrush ClearanceSome RestrictionsOutdoor BurningSome RestrictionsFireworksHeavy RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsFew RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: BeekeepingFew RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Artificial TurfSome Restrictions

All Plymouth County rules

How Plymouth County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Plymouth County to another location·View the Massachusetts fire regulations overview

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Fire Pits & Backyard Fires in Cities Across Plymouth County

Brockton, MA