OPEN BURNING PERMIT
January 15, 2022, marks the first day of open burning season for Massachusetts. If you are an Oak Bluffs resident that plans on burning materials, you must obtain an Open Burning Permit from the Oak Bluffs Fire-EMS Department. Please note that only certain materials can be burned.
Massachusetts allows residents to burn during Open Burning Season (January 15 and May 1 between 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM), depending on weather conditions and only with a permit from the Fire Department. Permits are only issued between 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM ON THE DAY that you wish to burn. No permits are issued in advance due to potential for changing weather conditions. A permit may be denied in the interest of public safety. Reasons for denial may include but not be limited to wind, dryness, location, water source, material being burned, and amount being burned.
In accordance with Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection regulation (310 CMR DEP 7.07), open burning must: be a minimum of 75 feet from all buildings; be conducted between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM from January 15 to May 1; and take place on the land closest to the source of material to be burned. All persons must always have shovel and hose with running water near the burn site. You must also make sure air quality conditions are acceptable for burning by calling the Massachusetts DEP Air Quality Hotline at 617-556-1021 or by visiting the MassAir Online website at http://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/dep/massair/web.
You are allowed to burn:
You may not burn:
Failure to comply with the abovementioned regulations and the Massachusetts Safety Tips for Open Burning Season will result in the recantation of an Open Burning Permit and the imposition of a $500 fine.
Documents Required for Open Burning Permit:
The permit/inspection fee is $50 per day cash or check made payable to the Town of Oak Bluffs. You may print, fill out and return the necessary document via email, standard mail or fill out a hard copy at the Station and drop it off in the Station's Lobby Drop Box (available 24/7) at your convenience, but you must still bring the cash/check to the Station and pick up the permit.
Massachusetts allows residents to burn during Open Burning Season (January 15 and May 1 between 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM), depending on weather conditions and only with a permit from the Fire Department. Permits are only issued between 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM ON THE DAY that you wish to burn. No permits are issued in advance due to potential for changing weather conditions. A permit may be denied in the interest of public safety. Reasons for denial may include but not be limited to wind, dryness, location, water source, material being burned, and amount being burned.
In accordance with Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection regulation (310 CMR DEP 7.07), open burning must: be a minimum of 75 feet from all buildings; be conducted between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM from January 15 to May 1; and take place on the land closest to the source of material to be burned. All persons must always have shovel and hose with running water near the burn site. You must also make sure air quality conditions are acceptable for burning by calling the Massachusetts DEP Air Quality Hotline at 617-556-1021 or by visiting the MassAir Online website at http://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/dep/massair/web.
You are allowed to burn:
- Brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris from other than commercial or industrial land clearing operations
- Agricultural materials such as fruit tree and bush prunings, raspberry stalks, and infected bee hives for disease control.
- Trees and brush resulting from agricultural land clearing
- Fungus infected elm wood, if no other acceptable means of disposal is available
You may not burn:
- Brush, trees, cane and driftwood from commercial and/or industrial land clearing operations
- Grass, hay, leaves, stumps, and tires
- Construction materials and debris
- Household trash
Failure to comply with the abovementioned regulations and the Massachusetts Safety Tips for Open Burning Season will result in the recantation of an Open Burning Permit and the imposition of a $500 fine.
Documents Required for Open Burning Permit:
- Open Burning Permit Application
- Safety Tips for Open Burning
- $50.00 Cash or Check Made Payable to the Town of Oak Bluffs
The permit/inspection fee is $50 per day cash or check made payable to the Town of Oak Bluffs. You may print, fill out and return the necessary document via email, standard mail or fill out a hard copy at the Station and drop it off in the Station's Lobby Drop Box (available 24/7) at your convenience, but you must still bring the cash/check to the Station and pick up the permit.