New fees take effect on May 1, 2021. Download the Fire Department Permit Fees List.
| Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Fire Alarm Installation Permit | $50 |
| Dumpster Permit | $50 |
| Oil Burner/Storage Permit – (Alteration and New Installation) | $50 |
| LP Gas Storage Permit (Propane) | $50 |
| Blasting Permit | $50 |
| Plan Review (Residential Projects) | $50 |
| Plan Review (Commercial Projects) | $50 |
| Certificate of Compliance (Smoke and CO Detectors Together) | $50 |
| Certificate of Compliance (Smoke or CO Detectors Separate) | $50 |
| Open Burning Permit – (Seasonal for Brush) | $10 |
| Open Burning Permit – (Cooking) | N/C |
| Fire Reports (Copy of Public Records) | $5 |
| Tank Installation Permit (Above Ground / Per Tank) | $50 |
| Tank Modification Permit (Aboveground /Per Tank) | $50 |
| Tank Removal Permit (Underground / Per Tank) | $200 |
| Tank Installation Permit (Underground / Per Tank) | $100 |
| Welding, Cutting and Heat Treating Permit | $50 |
| Model Rocket Permit | $10 |
| Cannon and Mortar Firing Permit | $50 |
| Explosives Storage Permit (Ammunition or Black Powder) | $50 |
| Storage of Combustible Materials | $50 |
| Compressed Natural Gas Storage Permit | $50 |
| Fireworks Display Permit | $50 |
| Limited Special Effects Permit | $50 |
| Flammable and Combustible Liquids Storage Permit | $50 |
| Flammable Gas and Solids Storage Permit | $50 |
| Sprinkler Installation, Alteration and Repair Permit | $50 |
| Salamander Permit | $50 |
| Temporary Heat Permit | $50 |
| Tar Kettle Permit | $50 |
Open Burning in Massachusetts is regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and enforced by the local Fire Department. Open burning season runs from Jan 15 – May 1. A valid permit obtained from the local fire department is required. The Fire Chief reserves the right to deny open burning on any day due to weather or environmental conditions.
The Fire Department will begin issuing open burning permits beginning on January 15th. The fee for each permit for the season is $10. The processing fee for ordering the permit online is an additional $1.00 to use a credit card or $.50 with an electronic check. We encourage the use of our online system to register for your permit, and to activate it daily.
Obtaining a Permit for Open Burning
You can obtain your open burning permit in one of two ways:
- Obtain your permit by filling out the form online by clicking here. To obtain your permit online, you will need to agree to the terms and conditions of the open burning regulations. This permit will be valid through May 1st. You will be assigned a permit number which will be required each time you activate it during the burning season, or…
- We encourage you to obtain your burning permit online. However, if you are unable to obtain a permit online, you may call 978-526-4040. One of our staff will then enter your information and issue you a permit number. You MUST retain this number.~ Once you have been issued the permit number, personnel are not able to look up your number. If you want to burn on a particular day and do not have your permit number, you will not be allowed to burn.
Daily Activation of Your Permit
Each day you wish to burn, you must activate your permit. This can be done in one of two ways:
- Log into our daily permit application activation page. If burning is allowed, you will need to input and submit your permit number. If you use the online application, you do not need to call the Fire Department, or…
- We encourage you to activate your permit online, however if necessary, you may also contact the Fire Department at 978-526-4040. You MUST have your permit number. Personnel cannot be able to look up your number. If you do not have your permit number, you will not be allowed to burn.
Access the important Safety tips for Open Burning (PDF).
- A cooking fire permit must be obtained at the Manchester By-the-Sea Fire Department fire station when setting a cooking fire on public land. It should be obtained on the day you intend to grill. It will be subject to the predicted fire danger class day as determined by the Mass Department of Conservation and Recreation.
- The person obtaining the permit must be 18 years or older.
- The fire must be made of charcoals and be contained in a metal container on rocky, sandy, or land free of vegetation. (There is no open burning, campfires, or bonfires allowed and burning of the following materials is prohibited: firewood, pallets, lumber, trash, plastic, cardboard, etc.). You may not dig a pit in the sand or put the burning components directly on the ground!
- The smoke from the fire must not pose a nuisance to other people.
- You must have tools available, such as buckets or pails or a garden hose, for use in extinguishing the fire.
- All hot coals and ashes must be FULLY EXTINGUISHED, cooled, and removed from the beach or public land. (They should be safely taken off site and safely disposed of.)
- Never bury hot coals or ashes or leave the fire unattended to die out on its own. People have been severely burned by unknowingly stepping on the top of buried coals. DO NOT put hot coals in the dumpster or any trash cans!
- The cooking fire permit is valid beginning at 5:00 PM and expires at 10:00 PM. Therefore, you should begin extinguishing your fire and start the cleanup at 9:00 PM.
Any violation of Massachusetts General Laws Part I, Title VII, Chapter 48, Section 13, “Setting Open Air Fires; Conditions and Restrictions; Penalty for Violation”, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00, plus the cost of suppression, or by imprisonment for not more than one month, or both.