Outdoor burning rules in Lowell, 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.
Lowell is one of 22 Massachusetts communities where open burning is prohibited at all times. Under 310 CMR 7.07(3)(e), no resident may conduct open/outside burning of brush, leaves, or other materials in the city, regardless of season.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Lowell Fire Department prohibit open burning in 22 densely built and populated cities and towns, and Lowell is on that list. Per 310 CMR 7.07(3)(e), Lowell is one of the communities in which open burning is NOT permitted at any time of year. Unlike most Massachusetts towns, where an open-burning season runs from January 15 through May 1 under permit, Lowell has no open-burning season whatsoever. The Lowell Fire Department's official Open/Outside Burning Regulations confirm the prohibition extends to burning in fire pits, chimineas, and outdoor wood-burning fireplaces or stoves. The only burning-related exemptions are charcoal and propane grills used for cooking and propane/natural-gas heating appliances that meet 527 CMR 1.0 requirements (see fire-pit-rules and recreational-fire). Questions go to Lowell Fire Prevention at 978-459-5554 or 978-459-5557.
Open burning in violation of 310 CMR 7.07 is enforced by MassDEP and the Lowell Fire Department; air-pollution violations under M.G.L. c. 111, sections 142A-142B carry civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day, and the fire department may order any unlawful fire extinguished immediately.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-4C(1)-(4) declares unlawful any unnecessary motor noise (backfiring, racing, tire-screeching), improper horn/signaling-device use, di...
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-3 sets a full district-by-time dBA table (residential 40-50 dB(A), industrial up to 70 dB(A) daytime), measured at the property bound...
Lowell, MA
Lowell restricts gas-powered leaf blower use to daytime hours; no outright ban exists, but decibel and hour limits apply under the general noise ordinance.
Lowell, MA
Outdoor music at restaurants, breweries, and event venues in Lowell requires an entertainment license and must end by 10 p.m. in residential zones.
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Chapter 204, Section 204-3 sets district-based dBA limits keyed to time of day. In single- and two-family residential districts the limit drops t...
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-4C(12) makes it unlawful to operate any radio, stereo, loudspeaker, instrument or other sound-reproducing device so as to disturb a r...
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