Suggest asking your local fire chief to be certain.

In my central mass rural town, a permit is needed for the Jan-May burning of yard waste.

It’s permissible to use an outdoor firepit provided it is certain distance from structures and weather permits.

Certain commercially available enclosed firepits are allowed to be used closer to the house (even on a deck)

I once asked chief if it’s permissible to have a small bonfire without a permit. He reluctantly said “yes, but best to tell us since we’ll then know to ignore the 1/2 dozen calls we’re going to get from your annoyed neighbors”

But even with all proper permits, if you’re careless (or even if careful and nature intervenes) and cause any destruction with your fire you’ll be held responsible and have to pay the damages as well as cost of the fire dept services.

Your homeowners insurance won’t help you out if your non-permitted bonfire destroys your home.

if you put a cooking grate over the top and keep a pack of hot dogs nearby?

Bring a cooler or lunch box with a pack of hot dogs outside and keep it next to the fire in case anyone comes asking. An age old trick for bon fires in MA

Thats exactly what I was told by the FD in my town.

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Stop narcing your neighbors fire pit

The cooking fire exception only applies to a "reasonable" fire how its written.

It sounds like OP wants to burn a bit larger fire than that.

I probably should have put a /s after my comment… the rules are basically there to prevent people from burning their neighborhoods to the ground or worse.

I was just kidding but if that’s actually how it works? Cool

I also could have taken you too literally…

I’ve taken advantage of that exception more than once to have small fire.

Yeah you can, but you can also just get a permit, it’s very cheap and easy. Wtf

Probably depends where you are. My super small rural town doesn’t really care. Had the police officer/vol. fire fighter tell us that if we are burning brush out of season and there’s a complaint, they’ll come and tell us to put it out; if they have to come back and put it out themselves, then you’re in trouble. But no one complains out here so *shrug *

Per our fire dept as well

Need to check local regs. Most larger MA cities/towns have a full ban on burning yard waste at all times for both safety but mostly air quality concerns. The definition of a cooking fire in these towns is very narrow for this exact reason. But those cities, such as Worcester, have yard waste drop off sites.

Just dig a hole and call it a firepit. I burn branches/sticks when they fall in my yard year round, as long as its in a firepit it doesn't matter.

Call your FD, Cities like Springfield open fires are not allowed at all. I'm that asshole that calls the cops on my neighbors as I don't want their smoke in my drafty house

Are your garden hoses connected? If that fire gets out of hand, you may need a plan to put it out.

Source: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/open-burning-safety

"Outdoor cooking is allowed year-round in all communities and is not subject to open burning limits."

and

"Fire pits have become popular in recent years. But unless they are being used for cooking, they are subject to the MassDEP open burning regulation. If you do use a fire pit for cooking, the fire must be:
Kept to a reasonable size
Located away from combustible materials
Contained in a non-flammable enclosure, and
Tended by someone who is 18 years of age or older. "

and

"Some cities and towns regulate, limit or prohibit the use of chimineas, fire pits and outdoor fireplaces. To find out if your community has specific requirements, contact your local fire department."

Keep your fire reasonably small and yeah you’re good- used to work for an FD.

I once went to a call for a brush fire and the guy had about a 6ft pile of brush and a couple of car seats on top. Said it was for cooking. That’s not gonna fly.

Local municipalities have more rules on outdoor fires than the state does. Check with yours.

call the police on everyone please