Cambridge, MA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Cambridge, MA, also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance, set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Key Facts
- Rule
- Burning leaves or refuse strictly prohibited citywide
- Citation
- Municipal Code Section 8.24.150
- Exceptions
- None written into the ordinance
- Max fine
- $300 per day under Section 8.24.260
- Enforcing agency
- Commissioner of Public Works
Summary
Cambridge bans burning leaves and other refuse outright. Section 8.24.150 of the Municipal Code states the burning of leaves and other refuse is strictly prohibited, with no permit path or seasonal exception written into the ordinance, and Section 8.24.260 backs it with a fine of up to three hundred dollars per day.
8.24.150 - Burning of refuse prohibited. The burning of leaves and other refuse is strictly prohibited. ... A.Criminal Penalty. Any person who violates any section of this chapter shall be subject to a fine not exceeding three hundred dollars. Each day's violation shall constitute a separate offense.
Full Breakdown
24's refuse and litter provisions: the burning of leaves and other refuse is strictly prohibited. Unlike neighboring sections that build in exceptions for commercial landscapers or private collection arrangements, this section carries no carve-out for residential leaf piles, brush, or yard debris; it applies City-wide regardless of lot size or property type. 070(D)(1)(c), so residents cannot substitute burning for bagging even during the leaf collection season. c. 40, Section 21D, with the Commissioner of Public Works acting as the enforcing officer and holding authority to delegate to Public Works Enforcement Officers and the Commissioner of Inspectional Services.
Because open burning of refuse is also independently restricted under Massachusetts air-quality rules, a resident who burns leaves or trash risks both a local citation and referral to state authorities.
Violations & Fines
Burning leaves or refuse in Cambridge is a per-day violation of Chapter 8.24 under Section 8.24.260: each day of continued burning is a separate offense, punishable by a fine of up to three hundred dollars, pursued either as a criminal fine or through noncriminal disposition under G.L. c. 40, Section 21D. The Commissioner of Public Works and Inspectional Services staff enforce it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn leaves in my backyard in Cambridge?
Is there a permit to burn yard debris in Cambridge?
What's the penalty for burning trash in Cambridge?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cambridge
How Cambridge compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Cambridge to another location·View the Massachusetts fire regulations overview
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Outdoor Burning in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle outdoor burning.