Fire Regulations in Washington, DC (2026)
3 verified fire regulations for Washington, District of Columbia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fireworks
Anyone who stores or sells fireworks in Washington, D.C. must hold a business license, with retail dealers paying $100 and wholesalers $760, and the Fire Marshal must approve every license before it issues.
Washington DC Fireworks Sales License Rule
Significant RestrictionsD.C. Code § 47-2814(d), (f)
(d) Owners or managers of establishments where fireworks are stored or are kept for sale at wholesale or at both wholesale and retail shall pay a license fee of $760. Owners or managers of establishments where fireworks are kept for sale at retail shall pay a license fee of $100. ... (f) No license shall be issued under this section without the approval of the Fire Marshal of the District of Co...
Outdoor Burning
The District bans kindling any bonfire or combustible pile in streets, alleys, open ground, or lots between sunset and sunrise, with no permit path around the nighttime ban.
Washington DC Nighttime Bonfire Ban
Heavy RestrictionsD.C. Code § 22-1313
It shall not be lawful for any person or persons within the limits of the District of Columbia to kindle or set on fire, or be present, aiding, consenting, or causing it to be done, in any street, avenue, road, or highway, alley, open ground, or lot, any box, barrel, straw, shavings, or other combustible, between the setting and rising of the sun; and, any person offending against the provision...
Smoke Detectors
In Washington, D.C., owners of every dwelling unit, hotel, motel, hospital, nursing home, and residential-custodial care facility must install smoke detectors meeting NFPA 72-E and 74 standards under the Smoke Detector Act.
Washington DC Smoke Detector Requirements
Some RestrictionsD.C. Code § 6-751.02(a)
The owner of each new or existing dwelling unit, hotel, motel, hospital, nursing home, and residential-custodial care facility shall install smoke detectors as required by this subchapter.