Outdoor Cooking in James City County, VA (2026)
1 rule for unincorporated James City County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of James City County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.
Smoker Rules
James City County's fire code excludes fuel contained in a barbeque grill or barbeque pit from the definition of a regulated recreational fire. That means ordinary charcoal, gas, or smoker cooking in a contained grill isn't subject to the 25-foot setback or permit rules that apply to open fire pits and bonfires.
James City County Outdoor Grill and Smoker Rules
Few RestrictionsJames City County Code § 9-2
Recreational fire. An outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, portable outdoor fireplace, barbeque grill or barbeque pit and has a total fuel area of three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes.
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