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Fire Regulations in Richmond, VA (2026)

3 verified fire regulations for Richmond, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Fireworks

Consumer fireworks are prohibited in Richmond. Although Virginia Code 27-97 allows localities to permit fireworks, Richmond City Code prohibits possession, sale, and discharge of fireworks without a permit issued by the Fire Marshal. Only sparklers, fountains, and pharaohs serpents are allowed.

Fire: Fireworks

Heavy Restrictions

Va. Code § 27-97

The Fire Prevention Code shall prescribe regulations to be complied with for the protection of life and property from the hazards of fire or explosion and for the handling, storage, sale, and use of fireworks, explosives, or blasting agents, and shall provide for the administration and enforcement of such regulations. [...] The Fire Prevention Code shall prohibit any person, firm, or corporatio...

Outdoor Burning

Open burning is heavily restricted in Richmond. The Virginia 4 PM Burning Law (VA Code 10.1-1142) applies Feb 15 to April 30, prohibiting burning before 4 PM within 300 feet of woodland. Richmond additionally bans burning of yard waste and debris within city limits year-round.

Fire: Outdoor Burning

Heavy Restrictions

Va. Code § 10.1-1142

A. It shall be unlawful for any owner or lessee of land to set fire to, or to procure another to set fire to, any woods, brush, logs, leaves, grass, debris, or other inflammable material upon such land unless he previously has taken all reasonable care and precaution, by having cut and piled the same or carefully cleared around the same, to prevent the spread of such fire to lands other than th...

Smoke Detectors

Virginia's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, which governs every rental unit in Richmond, requires landlords to certify smoke alarms in writing. The landlord must give tenants a certificate confirming all smoke alarms are present, inspected, and working, repeated no more than once every 12 months, under Va. Code § 55.1-1220(A)(8).

Richmond Landlord Smoke Alarm Certification Duty

Some Restrictions

Va. Code § 55.1-1220(A)(8)

A. The landlord shall: ... 8. Provide a certificate to the tenant stating that all smoke alarms are present, have been inspected, and are in good working order no more than once every 12 months. The landlord, his employee, or an independent contractor may perform the inspection to determine that the smoke alarm is in good working order. B. The landlord shall perform the duties imposed by subsec...