Permit Rules

Fire Permits

 To obtain a fire permit online, please follow this link to the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands. Permits obtained through the NHDFL website are fee based and require a credit card for payment:

 Online Burn Permitting System.

In order for a permit to be valid it must be printed out and signed by the applicant. 

Note: The online permitting system charges a fee, which is payable to the NH Division of Forests and Lands, and is not managed by, nor are the fees received by, the Town of Londonderry.


Seasonal Permits (for small campfires ONLY, category I or II) and category III brush are issued Online only.  If you have been issued a seasonal permit for the calendar year, you may call in each day for authorization for a campfire at (603) 421-1380.

See definitions of categories below for an appropriate type of permit required for your type of fire. You CAN NOT burn piles of brush with a seasonal permit. See restrictions below.

  • All outside fires with the exception of charcoal and gas require a permit in the State of New Hampshire.      
When a Fire Permit is Required:
  • A fire permit is required anytime there is not a 100-foot radius of complete snow cover around the fire.
Who is Eligible for an Outside Fire:
  • The property owner.
  • The property owners’ designee (anyone other than the legal property owner) with written permission from the property owner, including when there is a 100-foot radius of complete snow cover around the fire. Click Here for Non-Property Owner Authorization Form.
Times Fires May be Kindled: 

Fires may only be kindled after 5:00 p.m. on Category HIGH (Yellow) or lower days and must be extinguished before 9:00 a.m. With three exceptions: 

  1. When the Forest Fire Warden determines that conditions are appropriate Category I (Campfire) permits may allow for a small (under 2ft diameter) fire to be burned during the day.
  2. When there is continuous rainfall, however, the fire must be extinguished when the rain stops.
  3. Anytime there is a 100-foot radius of complete snow cover around the fire.
Permissible material to be burned:
  • Only clean, untreated and non-contaminated wood may be burned.
  • Brush and wood cannot exceed 5 inches in diameter.
  • No household waste, treated wood or composite materials may be burned.
  • No construction debris may be burned.
  • No accelerants, tires, or tubes are to be used in the material being burned.

A Category I Fire is a camp or cooking fire no greater than 2 ft. in diameter contained within a fire-resistive ring. A Category I fire must be at least 25’ from structures. This would also include commercially made fire pits, chimneys and outdoor fireplaces. These fires may be kindled at any time, conditions permitting. Seasonal permits available.

Category II Fire is a camp or cooking fire no greater than 4 ft. in diameter contained within a fire-resistive ring. A Category II or greater fire must be at least 50’ from structures. These fires may only be kindled between the hours of 5:00 pm and 9:00am unless it is actively raining or the ground is snow-covered. Seasonal permits available.

Category III Fire means any other fire that is greater than 4 ft. in diameter or any fire not contained in a fire-resistive ring, such as an open brush/debris pile fire. A Category III  fire must be at least 50’ from structures. These fires may only be kindled between the hours of 5:00 pm and 9:00am unless it is actively raining or the ground is snow-covered. No Seasonal permits. A new permit is required for each day of burning.

  • A permit is required even when it is actively raining.
  • A permit is NOT required anytime there is a 100-foot radius of complete snow cover around the fire.
  • Permitee must be at least 18 years old and the legal landowner, or have the landowner’s written approval. The written approval must be submitted to receive a permit or onsite with the land owners designee if snow-covered.
  • All fires shall be constantly attended until the fire is completely extinguished. A buried fire is not considered extinguished. “Completely extinguished” means to be extinguished so that it emits no smoke, heat, or flames.
  • Permitee must have proper suppression equipment to maintain control of the fire at all times. 
  • Incinerator permits are no longer allowed, per RSA 125-N.
Violations of the law (RSA 227-L) are subject to the following penalties:
  • Violation - May be fined up to $1,000
  • Misdemeanor - May be fined up to $2,000 or  imprisoned up to one year or both.