Everett, MA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Section 8-8 sits in Chapter 8, Fire Prevention and Protection, of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Everett, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It reaches two places: a public way, and any spot in close proximity to any building. The prohibition covers a bonfire or any other fire, so a small recreational fire next to a house is treated the same as a large brush pile. The one exception is a fire made in accordance with a permit from the chief of the fire department. The ordinance does not define close proximity and prints no distance in feet, so the permit decision rests with the chief.

Other fire rules in the same code sit beside it. Section 8-9 prohibits the construction, use, discharge, firing, launching or exploding of rockets, missiles and similar projectiles unless a written permit has been obtained from the chief of the fire department, who is authorized to impose reasonable requirements such as minimum age, adult supervision and limitations on the place and time of use. Section 12-1004(c) bars any fire source inside a permitted outdoor dining area, including fire pits, outdoor heaters and ovens. Section 12-8(e) names open burning among the licenses and permits that are exempt from the delinquent-tax denial rules of that section.

Section 8-15 sets the fire department permit fee schedule, which includes $20.00 for Christmas Tree Sales and $50.00 plus possible detail required for Cutting/Welding. Section 8-8 itself prints no fee, application form, season or burn-day schedule: the chief of the fire department is the permit authority and the only gate.