Fire Regulations in James City County, VA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated James City County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
James City County allows recreational fires, including backyard fire pits, without a permit, provided they stay at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material. The fire marshal can still order any fire extinguished if weather or local conditions make it hazardous.
James City County Recreational Fire Pit Rules
Light RestrictionsJames City County Code § 9-3(2)(a)
(2)Recreational Fires and Open Burning.a.Recreational Fires. Recreational fires are permitted in the county but shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material.
Fireworks
James City County requires a fire official permit before anyone transports, sells, possesses or sets off fireworks, with display permits running $100 per event or $200 a year for repeat displays at one site. Officers may seize any fireworks held without a permit, and violating the fireworks ordinance is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Whirligigs, sparklers and other novelty fireworks are banned outright.
Fireworks Permits in James City County
Heavy RestrictionsJames City County Code § 9-3(1), (4)
Except as otherwise provided in this section it shall be unlawful for any person to transport, manufacture, assemble, store, sell, offer or display for sale, or to buy, use, possess, ignite or explode any fireworks without a permit from the fire official. ... The fire marshal or any law enforcement officer shall be authorized to seize, take, remove or cause to be removed, at the expense of the ...
Outdoor Burning
James City County bans burning yard waste countywide except on land zoned A-1, General Agriculture, and even there prohibits it in platted subdivisions and manufactured home parks. Recreational fires must stay at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material. Land clearing debris, bonfires and other open burns need a fire official permit, and all burning stops when conditions turn hazardous.
Open Burning Rules in James City County
Significant RestrictionsJames City County Code § 9-3(2)
Recreational fires are permitted in the county but shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material. ... Burning of yard waste is prohibited within the county except in those areas zoned A-1, General Agriculture; provided, however, even within areas zoned A-1, yard waste shall not be burned in platted subdivisions, excluding family subdivisions, or in manufactured ho...
Smoke Detectors
James City County requires smoke alarms in every dwelling unit, hotel, motel and rooming house that provides overnight sleeping accommodations, installed to Uniform Statewide Building Code standards. Landlords must certify to tenants, in writing, that all required alarms are present, inspected and working, with a copy on file for the county building inspector. Tenants then handle routine testing and battery upkeep.
Smoke Alarm Rules in James City County
Some RestrictionsJames City County Code § 9-8
Smoke alarms shall be installed in the following structures or buildings if smoke alarms have not been installed in accordance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97 et seq.):(1)Any building containing one or more dwelling units;(2)Any hotel or motel regularly used, offered for, or intended to be used to provide overnight sleeping accommodations for one or more persons; and(3)Rooming...
All James City County ordinances
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