Outdoor burning rules in Wakefield, 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.
Open burning in Middlesex County is permitted ONLY January 15 through May 1 each year under 310 CMR 7.07, and only with a permit from the local fire department. All consumer fireworks remain banned statewide.
Open burning in Massachusetts is tightly regulated by 310 CMR 7.07 and is allowed ONLY between January 15 and May 1 annually. Before starting any outdoor burn in Middlesex County, you must obtain a permit from your local fire department, typically online through the Mass.gov permit system. Permits require: open areas at least 75 feet from any dwelling, burning between 10am and 4pm only, no burning on Code Red air quality days, and an adult in attendance with water available. Allowed materials: brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris. Prohibited materials: leaves, grass, stumps, tires, construction debris, and any demolition waste. Recreational campfires in contained rings (under 3 feet diameter) are treated differently and most Middlesex fire departments allow them year-round with permit. All consumer fireworks are ILLEGAL statewide under MGL c.148 s.39 with no exceptions. Penalties up to 100 dollars for fireworks possession.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Middlesex County, MA
Middlesex County has no operational county government - it was abolished July 11, 1997 under M.G.L. c. 34B - so there is no countywide noise ordinance. Massa...
Middlesex County, MA
Middlesex County treats persistent barking as a nuisance. Animal control handles complaints. Dog licensing required statewide (MGL c.140 §155).
Middlesex County, MA
Middlesex County has no unified leaf blower ordinance. Regulations are set by individual cities and towns such as Cambridge, Newton, Arlington, and Lexington...
Middlesex County, MA
Middlesex County restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones. Weight and size limits apply. Overnight storage of heavy trucks prohibited.
Middlesex County, MA
Driveway rules are set by each Middlesex County city or town zoning bylaw. Cambridge, Somerville, Lowell, and Framingham regulate curb cuts, width, paving, a...
Middlesex County, MA
Winter parking bans are the dominant rule across Middlesex County. Most cities prohibit overnight on-street parking from November through April to allow snow...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle outdoor burning.
See how Wakefield's outdoor burning rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.