Open Air Brush Burning Permits

Massachusetts allows residents to burn brush between January 15 and May 1, depending on weather conditions and air quality as set by the MassDEP. You must obtain a permit from the town in which you plan to burn brush.

Mass DEP Daily Air Quality Report

Open Brush Burning Season

The Open Brush Burning Season runs from January 15 through May 1.

Burn permits are issued online only. To obtain a permit, visit www.hcburnpermits.com on the day you plan to burn, between 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and self-issue your permit. This is the most efficient method for obtaining a permit.

The online permitting system activates and deactivates automatically based on daily burning conditions. If burning is not allowed, the system will not permit issuance.

If you have any questions, please contact the Williamsburg Fire Department at (413) 268-7233.

Online Burn Permits Program

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Regulations

• Regulations

• You may only burn BRUSH! All other materials are illegal. No leaves, grass, hay, stumps, building debris, or any other materials are allowed to be burned. Tree trunks and limbs greater than 4" in diameter are not considered brush.
• All open burning must be a minimum of 75 feet from buildings or structures.
• Burning will be allowed to start at 10:00 am and must be extinguished by 4 pm.
• Any open fire must be attended at all times by the permit holder.
• No person shall set, maintain or increase a fire in the open air at any time except by permission.
• You must be 18 years or older to apply for a permit and/or set, maintain, or increase a fire once permission has been granted by the Fire Department.
• You must have an appropriate means to extinguish an open-air fire completely at the end of the day or if requested by the Fire Department.
• The fire department reserves the right to inspect any permitted burn.
• The Fire Department can refuse or cancel a permit at any time. (Example: Violation of permit regulations, or change in weather conditions.)
• The open burning season is January 15 - May 1.
• Massachusetts Regulation 310 CMR: DEP 7.07 "Open Burning"
• More information from the Massachusetts DEP.

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Burning is allowed day by day only. Permits for future dates will not be issued.