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Newton, MA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

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

Outdoor burning rules in Newton, 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

State Rule
310 CMR 7.07
Season
Jan 15 through May 1
Hours
10 AM to 4 PM
Setback
75 feet from dwellings
Permit
Required daily

Summary

Open burning in Newton is permitted only January 15 through May 1 under 310 CMR 7.07 with a daily permit from Newton Fire Department; burning is prohibited rest of year.

Section 13. No person shall set, maintain or increase a fire in the open air at any time except by permission, covering a period not exceeding two days from the date thereof, granted by the forest warden or chief of the fire department in cities and towns, or, in cities having such an official, the fire commissioner... 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. The forest warden, chief or fire commissioner...

Source: 310 CMR 7.07 Open BurningView official code

Full Breakdown

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection regulation 310 CMR 7.07 restricts open burning to a limited season running January 15 through May 1 each year. To burn brush, a Newton resident must obtain a daily burn permit from the Newton Fire Department (typically by calling or using the online system), burn only between 10 AM and 4 PM, maintain the fire at least 75 feet from any dwelling, and have adequate water or suppression equipment on hand. Only brush, cane, and driftwood from agricultural or residential clearing may be burned; leaves, grass, stumps, construction debris, and trash are prohibited in all cases. Newton, being a densely developed suburb, issues relatively few burn permits and often restricts based on air quality and wind conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I burn leaves in my yard in Newton?
No. Burning leaves is prohibited year-round in Massachusetts under 310 CMR 7.07; only brush and driftwood are allowed during burn season.
How do I get a Newton burn permit?
Contact Newton Fire Department during open burning season (Jan 15 to May 1) to apply for a daily permit before burning.

Sources & Official References

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How Newton compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Newton 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.

Cambridge, MA
Heavy Restrictions
Lowell, MA
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Somerville, MA
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