Fire Regulations in Portsmouth, VA (2026)
3 verified fire regulations for Portsmouth, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fireworks
Portsmouth bans manufacturing, selling, storing, and using or exploding fireworks anywhere in the city under § 13-105, with the only exception being a permitted public display under Division 2. Violating the fireworks article is a class 1 misdemeanor, and seized fireworks can be destroyed after conviction.
Portsmouth Fireworks Ban and Display Permits
Heavy RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code § 13-105
(a)The manufacture of fireworks is prohibited within the city.(b)Except as provided in division 2 of this article, it shall be unlawful for any person to store, to offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail or use or explode any fireworks within the city.
Outdoor Burning
Portsmouth outlaws burning wrecked or junked vehicles, waste materials, rubbish, debris, dead trees and limbs, leaves, and other natural growth anywhere in the city under § 13-7. There is no permit path around the ban; violating it is a class 3 misdemeanor, and it applies regardless of zoning or lot size.
Portsmouth Ban on Burning Junk, Debris, Leaves
Heavy RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code § 13-7
(a)The burning of wrecked or discarded vehicles, or any parts thereof, junk, any waste materials, rubbish, debris, dead and dying trees or limbs, leaves or other natural growth is prohibited.(b)Any person convicted of any such violation shall be guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor.
Smoke Detectors
Portsmouth requires smoke detectors in every building with a dwelling unit, hotel, motel, or roominghouse offering overnight sleeping accommodations. Installation must follow the building code, and AC-powered units need a permit through the fire marshal's office under Chapter 13, Article V.
Portsmouth Smoke Detector Requirements
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code §§ 13-135, 13-136
Sec. 13-135. - Where required. Smoke detectors shall be installed in all of the following structures or buildings: (1)Any building containing one or more dwelling units.(2)Any hotel or motel regularly used, offered for or intended to be used to provide overnight sleeping accommodations for one or more persons.(3)Roominghouses regularly used to provide overnight sleeping accommodations. Sec. 13-...