The City of Fitchburg allows open burning between January 15 and May 1 each year. A burn permit must be obtained to open burn. To obtain your permit, please submit the
burn permit application and schedule an appointment for an inspection with the Health Department at 978-829-1870.
To be allowed to burn, you will need proximity access to water such as a garden hose, your burning location must be away from power lines and at least 75 feet away from any tree or building, including sheds. Burning is allowed only during the hours of 10am to 4pm.
With A Permit, Burning of the Following Materials Is Allowed:
- Brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris from other than commercial or industrial land clearing operations
- Materials normally associated with the pursuit of agriculture such as, fruit tree prunings, dead raspberry stalks, blueberry patches for pruning purposes, and infected beehives for disease control.
- Trees and brush resulting from agricultural land clearing.
- Fungus infected elm wood
Burning of the Following Materials Is Prohibited Statewide:
- Grass, hay, leaves and stumps, and tires.
- Construction material and debris
Once approved, your permit will be on file with the Fire Department. When you decide to burn, simply call the Fire Department after 10am at 978-345-9660 to let them know you will be burning that day. Your permit will be valid for one burning season. You will need to
renew online your permit online after December 1st for the following burning season.