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Somerville, MA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

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

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.

Key Facts

State rule
310 CMR 7.07
Somerville status
No-burn community
Burning season
None permitted
Allowed use
Cooking fires meeting code
Disposal
Yard waste bags for curbside

Summary

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.

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; provided, that if such permission is not in writing, a written record of the granting thereof, setting forth the date upon which permission was granted, the dates covered by such permission, the name and address of the person to whom, and the manner in which, such permission was granted, and any other necessary information relative thereto, shall be made and kept by the forest warden, chief or fire commissioner, as the case may be, and shall be open to public inspection;

Source: 310 CMR 7.07 Open BurningView official code

Full Breakdown

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a burn permit in Somerville?
No. Somerville is excluded from the 310 CMR 7.07 open burning community list.
How do I dispose of leaves and brush?
Use paper yard-waste bags for curbside pickup or drop off at the DPW yard. Composting is also allowed.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Somerville

All Somerville rules

How Somerville compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Somerville 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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Newton, MA
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