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.
Open burning is prohibited year-round in Cambridge. The state burn season under 310 CMR 7.07 (Jan 15 to May 1) excludes densely populated cities, so no residential brush burning is allowed.
Massachusetts DEP regulation 310 CMR 7.07 governs open burning statewide and establishes a permit season from January 15 through May 1 for brush and residential yard waste, but the regulation expressly excludes 22 densely populated communities from participating, and Cambridge is one of them. As a result, no open burning permits are issued in Cambridge at any time of year for any purpose. Residents cannot burn brush, leaves, yard waste, construction debris, or trash outdoors. Yard waste must be composted on-site or placed in the city yard-waste collection program. Small recreational cooking fires in approved devices may still be allowed with Fire Department approval, but true open burns are banned. Violations are enforced by the Cambridge Fire Department and can result in fines under MA DEP regulations.
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 outdoor burning.
See how Cambridge's outdoor burning rules stack up against other locations.
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