Outdoor burning rules in Somerville, 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.
Somerville is designated a no-burn community under 310 CMR 7.07. Open burning of brush, leaves, or yard waste is prohibited year round with no seasonal permit available.
Under 310 CMR 7.07 (Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection air pollution regulation), only specified towns may issue seasonal open burning permits between January 15 and May 1. Somerville is excluded from this list because of population density and air quality impacts. Open burning of brush, leaves, grass, stumps, construction debris, or rubbish is prohibited year round in Somerville. Exceptions exist for agricultural burning, fire training, and recreational cooking fires that meet fire code clearances. Leaves and yard waste must be composted or placed in paper yard-waste bags for curbside collection. Violations are enforced by the Somerville Fire Department and MassDEP and can carry significant fines.
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 Somerville's outdoor burning rules stack up against other locations.
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