The Application for Open Burning/Cooking Operations is the Boston Fire Department (BFD) form used to request a permit for open burning or open cooking at a location in Boston. It is one of the City of Boston forms that Boston 311 callers and event organizers often look for, and the city lists it as the open cooking permit for outdoor public events. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original PDF is published by the City of Boston at boston.gov.
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What is Application for Open Burning/Cooking Operations – Boston, MA?
The Application for Open Burning/Cooking Operations is the Boston Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division form on which an applicant asks for a permit to carry out open burning or cooking at a stated Boston location, between a starting date and an ending date.
The form collects what the Fire Prevention Division needs to review the operation: the applicant and, if there is one, the company; the street location where the permit will be used; the times of burning or cooking; the type and amount of fuel; where the fuel is stored; the number and size of cylinders; and, for fuel that is transported, the vehicle make, model, year and registration. The applicant prints their name, signs and dates it. The bottom of the form states that payment is due at the time of application.
The top of the form also asks how you want the completed permit delivered: mailed, e-mailed or picked up. A box labeled "For BFD Internal Use Only" holds the payment received date, payment number, customer ID and permit number; the applicant does not fill it in.
The City of Boston lists this application as the open cooking permit among the permits for outdoor public events, in the food safety and health section. On that page it appears next to separate applications for a temporary heat permit, a generator permit and a temporary food service permit, which are different documents. The printed revision date is 8/09.
Who needs to file Application for Open Burning/Cooking Operations – Boston, MA?
Anyone who plans open burning or open cooking operations in Boston and needs the permit from the Boston Fire Department Fire Prevention Division uses this application. The form has two blocks of contact details: the applicant, always, and a company, which applies when a business or organization is running the operation.
The City of Boston also places the form among the permits that may be needed to host an outdoor public event where food is cooked and served. Its page says an event may need permits from several departments, so this application can be one of several. Hosts should check the city's list of common permits for outdoor public events to see what else the event requires.
The form is signed by the applicant, whose printed name and date appear above the signature line. It names no other signer or representative. It does not describe who is exempt, so questions about whether your activity needs the permit go to the Fire Prevention Division at 617-343-3447.
When to file Application for Open Burning/Cooking Operations – Boston, MA
The form asks for a STARTING DATE and an ENDING DATE for the operation, so the permit is requested for a defined period at a defined location and the application is filed for that period. The form states that payment is due at the time of application; no separate lead time before the starting date is printed on it.
For an outdoor public event, the City of Boston says you may need permits from several departments and may be asked to meet with the Outdoor Public Events committee. Because this application belongs to the event's permit set, plan its timing with the rest of the event approvals. For anything not printed on the form, such as how far ahead to apply, contact the Fire Prevention Division at 617-343-3447.
How to fill out Application for Open Burning/Cooking Operations – Boston, MA
Choose how to receive the permit
At the top, mark Mailed, E-mailed or Picked up for the completed permit. Leave the "For BFD Internal Use Only" box blank.
Enter the starting and ending dates
Fill in STARTING DATE and ENDING DATE for the period in which the open burning or cooking will take place.
Complete the applicant block
Enter APPLICANT'S NAME, address (number, street, city, state, ZIP code), phone, fax and e-mail address.
Complete the company block
Enter COMPANY NAME, company address, phone, fax and e-mail address if a company or organization is running the operation.
Give the permit location and times
Under "Permit to be exercised at the following location," write the number, street and city. Then enter the Times of Burning/Cooking, From and To.
Describe the fuel
Enter Type of Fuel, Amount of Fuel and Storage Location of Fuel, then the Number of cylinders and the Size of Cylinders.
Add fuel transportation details
Under Transportation of fuel, enter the vehicle make, model, year and the vehicle registration.
Print your name, sign and date
Print the Applicant's Name, add the date and sign on the Applicant's Signature line.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check dates, location, fuel and cylinder entries, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and deliver it with payment as described under How to submit.
How to submit Application for Open Burning/Cooking Operations – Boston, MA
The form prints no separate return instruction, so the channels below come from its header and its delivery options.
- Fire Prevention Division: the header names Boston Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue – 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02118. Tel: 617-343-3447. Fax: 617-343-2197. Contact the division to confirm how it wants the signed application delivered before you send it.
- Payment: the form says payment is payable at the time of application. It does not print an amount or a payment method, so ask the division for the current amount and how to pay.
- Receiving the permit: at the top of the form, mark Mailed, E-mailed or Picked up to say how you want the completed permit delivered.
Leave the "For BFD Internal Use Only" box blank. For an outdoor public event, the City of Boston says other departments may require their own permits, which are separate from this application. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the agency's channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the permit delivery choice (Mailed, E-mailed or Picked up) at the top of the form unmarked.
- Omitting the STARTING DATE or ENDING DATE, so the period the permit covers is unclear.
- Writing the exercise location without the number, street and city the form asks for.
- Leaving out the type and amount of fuel, its storage location, or the number and size of cylinders.
- Skipping the Transportation of fuel lines (vehicle make, model, year and registration) when fuel will be transported.
- Submitting the form unsigned, or without the printed name and date above the applicant's signature line.
- Writing in the box marked "For BFD Internal Use Only" (payment received date, payment number, customer ID, permit number).
- Not arranging payment at the time of application, which the form states is when payment is due.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Application for Open Burning/Cooking Operations?
It is the Boston Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division form for requesting a permit for open burning or cooking at a stated Boston location. The City of Boston lists it as the open cooking permit among the permits for outdoor public events.
Do I need an open cooking permit for an outdoor event in Boston?
The City of Boston lists the open cooking permit under food safety and health permits for outdoor public events and says an event may need permits from several departments. Whether your activity needs it is decided by the Fire Prevention Division, 617-343-3447.
Is there a fee for the open burning/cooking permit?
The form states that payment is due at the time of application, so a payment applies. It prints no amount or payment method, so ask the Fire Prevention Division at 617-343-3447 for the current amount and how to pay.
Where do I send the open burning/cooking application?
The form prints the Boston Fire Department Fire Prevention Division, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue – 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02118, Tel 617-343-3447, Fax 617-343-2197, but no separate return instruction. Confirm the delivery method with the division.
Can the permit be e-mailed to me?
The form lets you choose how you receive the completed permit: Mailed, E-mailed or Picked up. Mark one choice at the top of the form.
What fuel information does the form ask for?
It asks for the type and amount of fuel, where the fuel is stored, the number and size of cylinders, and, under Transportation of fuel, the vehicle make, model, year and registration.
Can I fill out the open burning/cooking application online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the City of Boston and does not file or submit the application; you deliver it to the Fire Prevention Division yourself.
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