Fire Regulations in Hanover County, VA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Hanover County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Hanover County Code Section 9-12.1 lets a resident keep a recreational fire, capped at 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height under Section 9-11's definition, without a burning permit, so long as the attendant has the property owner's authority to burn and stays with the fire the entire time with extinguishing equipment ready.
Hanover County Recreational Fire Pit Rules
Light RestrictionsHanover County Code § 9-12.1(c)-(d)
(c)The attendant of any permissible open burning under this section shall have legal authority from the owner or agent of the owner of the property to conduct such open burning.(d)Permissible open burning, recreational fires, and the use of portable outdoor fireplaces shall be attended at all times until the fire is extinguished. The attendant of permissible open burning, a recreational fire, o...
Fireworks
Hanover County Code Section 9-16 makes it a class 1 misdemeanor to sell, expose for sale, use or discharge fireworks such as firecrackers, torpedoes or sky-rockets anywhere in the county, except under a fire marshal display permit, though sparklers, fountains and similar novelty items remain legal on private property with the owner's consent.
Hanover County Fireworks Sale and Discharge Ban
Heavy RestrictionsHanover County Code § 9-16
(a)It shall be unlawful and a class 1 misdemeanor for any person to sell or expose for sale or use or discharge, in the county, any firecrackers, torpedoes, sky-rockets or other substance or object, 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 air or travels...
Outdoor Burning
Hanover County Code Section 9-12 bans open burning or use of a special incineration device for garbage and refuse, yard trimmings outside the permitted schedule, tires and petroleum products, hazardous waste, salvage operations and demolition waste, materials hauled in from another property, and any burning by a person under 18, except as the fire prevention division separately allows.
Hanover County Open Burning Prohibition
Significant RestrictionsHanover County Code § 9-12
(a)No owner or other person shall cause or permit open burning or the use of a special incineration device for the destruction of garbage or refuse except as provided in this division.(b)No owner or other person shall cause or permit open burning or the use of a special incineration device for the disposal of leaves and tree, yard, and garden trimmings except as provided in this division. ... (...
Smoke Detectors
Hanover County requires every short-term rental to have working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. Zoning Ordinance § 26-300.1(1)(h) makes the property owner responsible for maintaining that safety equipment in good working order and bars blocking any required emergency exit, outside the Town of Ashland.
Hanover County STR Smoke Detector Rule
Some RestrictionsHanover County Code § 26-300.1(1)(h)
(h)Provision of smoke detectors and other safety equipment. The property owner of any property offered for short-term rental must provide and maintain in good working order every smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, fire extinguisher, and any other safety equipment required to be in the short-term rental by the Building Code or other applicable law. No property owner may obstruct any emerg...
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