Outdoor Fireplaces & Chimneas

The Stoneham Fire Department allows the use of chimineas and outdoor fireplaces provided the following conditions are met:

•  The Fire must be small and manageable, no greater than 3 feet in diameter. By definition,
  a fire larger than 3 feet is no longer considered a cooking or recreational fire.
• All fires must be constantly attended by a competent person until extinguished. (18 or older)
• A water supply or an extinguisher capable of extinguishing the fire must be within 75 feet of the fire.
• The Fire Pit, Chiminea, or fireplace will be on a non-combustible surface at grade level and not under any type of overhang, roof or canopy.
• Fires will not be located within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material and any condition that could cause fire to spread within this area will be removed prior to ignition.
• The fire and/or smoke cannot pose a hazard to any property.
• The Smoke from any device cannot create a nuisance or health hazard to the neighborhood.
• Only ordinary firewood is burned in the chimineas or outside fireplace; no construction debris, leaves, hazardous waste, or chemicals may be burned at any time.
• Common sense must be used (i.e. a competent adult must be in attendance).  The hot chiminea should always be considered a hazard to curious children; hot embers routinely are sent into the air from these fireplaces and a screen should be in place to prevent the embers from igniting nearby guests or combustibles.

If the fire department is called to your house for any type of outside fire, we reserve the right to order any fire be extinguished at the fire officer’s discretion. 

The Fire Department will not issue a permit for the installation of a new outside furnace that burns any type of wood product or byproduct. We are working with the Board of Health to establish guidelines for these types of furnaces.