Solid-Fuel Cooking Approval (wood / charcoal) — BFD Open Burning and Cooking permit: Boston restaurant guide

Boston Fire Department — Fire Prevention Confirm with the city

What it is

Wood- and charcoal-fired ovens, grills and smokers are 'solid fuel cooking operations' under the state fire code (527 CMR 1, which adopts NFPA 1 and through it NFPA 96 Chapter 14): dedicated hood and duct, suppression listed for solid fuel, spark arrestors, ash handling and fuel storage rules. BFD's online portal lists an 'Open Burning and Cooking' permit category.

When a restaurant needs it

Any wood, charcoal or other solid-fuel cooking appliance.

How to apply

Have your fire protection contractor and architect design the solid-fuel hood/suppression under the Sprinkler & Special Suppression permit, and ask Fire Prevention (617-343-3628) which permit it wants for the appliance itself (Open Burning and Cooking or General Permit).

Documents you’ll need

Appliance listing/specs
Hood, duct and suppression design for solid fuel
Fuel storage and ash disposal plan

Fee

Varies — BFD's fee schedule (effective 9/22/2016) is linked from its forms page but was not loading on 2026-10-06; confirm with Fire Prevention

Processing time

Varies

Renewal

Confirm with BFD (cooking permits are typically annual)

Who files

The fire protection contractor permits the suppression; the operator holds the cooking permit.

Good to know

Boston doesn't publish a page specific to commercial solid-fuel cooking; the requirement is real (state code) but the exact BFD permit name and fee need confirmation.

Official source

BFD — forms, permits & fees (Open Burning and Cooking) · 527 CMR 1.00 — Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code

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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.