How To Get A MA Burn Permit

Air Curtain Burner / Destructor Burn Permits in Massachusetts

In this article:

Massachusetts Burn Permits
Massachusetts Burn Permit Phone Number
Massachusetts Burn Permit Contacts

Air Curtain Burner / Destructor Burn Permits in Massachusetts

There are 23 counties in Massachusetts that do not allow any open burning all year. For the remaining Massachusetts counties, the following regulations would apply for small residential burns:

Open burning must be done:

Between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from January 15 to May 1
At least 75 feet from all dwellings
As close as possible to the source of material being burned
When air quality is acceptable for burning. Call the MassDEP Air Quality Hotline at (800) 882-1497 or visit MassAir Online to find out if it is.

As for a commercial or large-scale debris removal method, the state of Massachusetts highly discourages burning. All air curtain burners (pit burners and box burners) will require extensive permitting and will be categorized as incinerators. If the box burner produces electricity then the process is slightly different, but it does still have to be permitted. Please contact the Air Quality Hotline or check The Massachusetts DEP website for more information and contacts.

Massachusetts Burn Bans

In Massachusetts, no burning is allowed from May until January.