Fire Regulations in Albemarle County, VA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Albemarle County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
In Albemarle County outside Charlottesville and Scottsville, a backyard fire pit, campfire or cooking fire counts as recreational open burning under County Code § 6-406(B) and needs no permit or notice to the Fire Official. The fire is capped at nine square feet of ground area and two feet in height, must burn only seasoned dry firewood, and must sit at least 25 feet from any building.
Albemarle County Fire Pit and Recreational Burning Rules
Some RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code §§ 6-403, 6-406(B)
23.Recreational Open Burning. An outdoor, controlled fire no greater than nine square feet in ground surface area and/or two feet in height that is built for enjoyment, warmth, or ambiance, and used for leisure activities like camping, socializing, or relaxing outdoors ... B.Recreational open burning, including campfires, cooking fires, or warming fires, where the fuel consists only of seasoned...
Fireworks
Albemarle County bans transporting, manufacturing, storing, selling, buying, possessing, or discharging firecrackers, skyrockets, or similar exploding or airborne fireworks under § 6-301, except for narrow novelty items and permitted public displays. Anyone selling, storing, or displaying fireworks must obtain a fire official permit under § 6-303.
Albemarle County Fireworks Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code §§ 6-301, 6-303
it shall be unlawful for any person to transport, manufacture, store, sell, offer for sale, expose for sale, buy, use, ignite, possess or explode any firecracker, torpedo, skyrocket or other substance or thing, of whatever form or construction, that contains any explosive or inflammable compound or substance, and is intended, or commonly known, as fireworks, and which explodes, rises into the a...
Outdoor Burning
Albemarle County bans open burning of refuse, garbage, household waste, and hazardous or commercial waste countywide under § 6-404. Residential yard-debris burning is allowed without a permit only if it stays at least 300 feet from neighboring buildings and the Fire Official is notified before and after, per § 6-406.
Albemarle County Open Burning Rules
Significant RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code §§ 6-404, 6-406, 6-408
A.No owner or other person may cause or permit open burning or the use of a special incineration device for disposal of refuse except as provided in this article. ... A.Residential open burning is allowed for the disposal of leaves and tree, yard, and garden trimmings originating from and located on the premises of private property, without a permit from the Office of the Fire Marshal, provided...
Smoke Detectors
Albemarle County requires smoke alarms in every dwelling unit, hotel, motel, and rooming house under County Code § 5-400, installed per the Building Code and maintained under the Statewide Fire Prevention Code. Landlords must certify to tenants that alarms are present and working, per § 5-402.
Albemarle County Smoke Alarm Requirements
Some RestrictionsAlbemarle County Code §§ 5-400, 5-401
Smoke alarms shall be installed in the following structures or buildings if smoke alarms have not been installed in accordance with the Building Code: A.Dwelling units. Any building containing one or more dwelling units.B.Hotels and motels. Any hotel or motel regularly used, offered for, or intended to be used to provide overnight sleeping accommodations for one or more persons.C.Rooming houses...
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