Online Application for Open Burning Permits Berkshire County

Permits are only issued between 8:30 AM and 1:00 PM. Previously, burning permits were available beginning at 7:30 AM. The time change was necessary to comply with Massachusetts Department of Environment Protection air quality regulations.

Massachusetts allows residents to burn brush between January 15 and May 1, depending on weather conditions. You must obtain permission from the town in which you plan to burn brush.

Some towns in Berkshite County offer burning permits through this site. If you are burning in these towns, you can visit this site between 7:30 AM and 1:00 PM to obtain a permit on the day you want to burn brush. Permit availability on a given day will depend on weather conditions.

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.
• All open burning must be a minimum of 75 feet from buildings or structures.
• Burning will be allowed to start at 10:00am and must be extinguished by 4pm.
• Any open fire must be attended at all times by the permit holder.
• No person shall set, maintain or increase a fire in 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 can refuse or cancel a permit at any time. (Example: Violation of permit regulations, or change in weather conditions.)
• Open burning season is January 15 - May 1.
• Massachusetts Regulation 310 CMR: DEP 7.07 "Open Burning"
• More information from the Massachusetts DEP.

How to obtain a permit

Obtain a daily permit online, if you are burning brush in one of the following towns:

• Becket
• Great Barrington
• Lanesborough
• Lee
• Lenox
• Peru
• Pittsfield
• Richmond
• Stockbridge

The remaining towns in Berkshire County do not use this system. Please contact your town hall for additional information.

Problems?

You must have internet access and a valid email address to use this system. If problems with this website prevent you from obtaining a permit, you can also request a permit over the phone. To request a permit,

• In Becket call Fire Chief Ray Tarjick at (413) 623-6480.
• In Great Barrington, call the Great Barrington Fire Station at (413) 528-1319.
• In Lanesborough, call the fire station at (413) 443-2321 and leave a message, if necessary.
• In Lee call Fire Chief Alan Sparks at 413-243-2100.
• In Lenox, call the Lenox Fire Department at (413) 637-2345.
• In Peru, call Berkshire Sheriff's Control at (413) 445-4559.
• In Pittsfield, call the City of Pittsfield Fire Alarm at (413) 448-9770 or (413) 448-9761.
• In Richmond, call Deputy Chief Traver at (413) 531-8837.
• In Stockbridge call Fire Chief Chuck Cardillo at (413) 717-0666.
• The rest of Berkshire County does not use this system. Please contact your town directly to obtain a permit.

Questions? Email bcburnpermits@gmail.com.

If you have problems using this system, please contact your town directly to obtain a permit.

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