Fire Regulations in Roanoke, VA (2026)
4 verified fire regulations for Roanoke, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Roanoke's open burning ban carves out recreational fires, such as backyard fire pits, as long as the fire follows the separate restrictions in Section 307.4.2 of the adopted fire code and creates no smoke hazard or nuisance. The exception sits inside the same ordinance, § 12-19, that otherwise prohibits open burning outside a building.
Roanoke Recreational Fire Exception
Light RestrictionsCity of Roanoke Code § 12-19 (Fire Prevention Code § 307.1.1, Exception 3)
Exceptions:1.Fires may be used for cooking food in an approved device, provided no smoke violation or other nuisance is created.2.Salamanders and similar heating devices may be used for heating by outdoor workers provided no smoke hazard or other nuisance is created and provided that such devices are used not less than fifteen (15) feet from any structure.3.Recreational fires in accordance with...
Fireworks
Roanoke's noise ordinance bars firing explosives, fireworks or similar devices that create impulsive sound across a property line or on public property between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., under City Code § 21-57(4). Roanoke has no separate ordinance regulating fireworks sale or discharge; the noise curfew is the city's only local fireworks-specific rule.
Roanoke Nighttime Fireworks Noise Restriction
Some RestrictionsRoanoke City Code § 21-57(4)
(4)Explosives, fireworks and similar devices. Using or firing any explosives, fireworks or similar devices which create impulsive sound so as to create a noise disturbance across a real property boundary or on any public right-of-way or public property between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Outdoor Burning
Roanoke's fire code bans igniting or maintaining any open fire on public or private property outside a building, and specifically forbids burning waste materials or salvage and demolition debris. Limited exceptions exist for approved cooking devices, outdoor heating salamanders kept 15 feet from structures, and permitted silvicultural, wildlife-management or campfire burns issued by the fire official.
Roanoke Open Burning Ban
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Roanoke Code § 12-19 (Fire Prevention Code §§ 307.1.1, 307.2)
307.1.1 Prohibited open burning. No person shall ignite or maintain, or cause or permit to be ignited or maintained, any open fire on public or private property outside any building. Salvage, demolition operations or disposal of waste materials by burning is prohibited. 307.2 Permit required. A permit shall be obtained from the fire code official in accordance with Section 107.2 prior to kindl...
Smoke Detectors
Roanoke bars anyone from occupying, leasing or renting a dwelling, or operating a hotel, motel or rooming house, until smoke alarms are installed under the Uniform Statewide Building Code. Landlords must certify working alarms to tenants at move-in and annually, keep records for two years, and violators face a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Roanoke Smoke Alarm Requirement
Some RestrictionsCity of Roanoke Code § 12-33
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any building to occupy, lease or rent any dwelling or dwelling unit or to operate, use or permit any building, or part thereof, to be operated or used as a hotel, motel or rooming house until smoke alarms have been installed in it in conformance with the provisions of the Uniform Statewide Building Code. Smoke alarms installed pursuant to this section shall...