Fire Regulations in Stafford County, VA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Stafford County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Stafford County allows recreational fires such as campfires, warming fires and bonfires when the fuel is seasoned dry firewood only. A bonfire cannot exceed five feet by five feet and cannot burn longer than three hours without the fire marshal's approval to extend it.
Stafford County Recreational Fire & Bonfire Rules
Some RestrictionsStafford County Code § 12-54(b)
(b)Recreational burning including bonfires, campfires, or warming fires, are permitted where the fuel consists only of seasoned dry firewood ignited with a small quantity of paper, and are in accordance with the fire prevention code and the following:(1)The fire shall not be used for waste disposal purposes and the fuel shall be chosen to minimize the generation of air contaminants. No trash, o...
Fireworks
Stafford County bans manufacturing fireworks outright and makes it unlawful to transport, store, possess, sell, buy, use, ignite, or explode any fireworks except those the fire marshal has approved and permitted. Approved fireworks still cannot travel into the air, explode, or throw sparks farther than 16.4 feet. The fire marshal's office issues permits for sale, wholesale, and aerial pyrotechnic displays.
Stafford County Fireworks Ban and Permits
Heavy RestrictionsStafford County Code § 12-62 (Fire Prevention Code §§ 5610, 5610.1(a), 5610.2)
5610. Generally. The manufacture of fireworks is prohibited within the county. The display, sale or discharge of fireworks shall comply with the requirements of this section. These provisions are adopted pursuant to Code of Virginia, Title 27, Chapter 9. ... (a)Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to transport, manufacture, store, possess, sel...
Outdoor Burning
Stafford County bans open burning of garbage, refuse, trash and other waste at all times, from any source, residential to industrial. The county fire marshal can also order a halt to any open burning when weather or local conditions make it hazardous.
Stafford County Open Burning Prohibition
Significant RestrictionsStafford County Code § 12-52
(a)No owner or other person shall cause or permit open burning or the use of a special incineration device except as provided in this article. The open burning of garbage, refuse, trash, rubbish and other forms of solid, liquid waste, including but not limited to wastes resulting from residential, agricultural, commercial, industrial, institutional, trade and construction shall be prohibited at...
Smoke Detectors
Stafford County's Fire Prevention Code amendments require smoke alarms in every building with a dwelling unit, every hotel or motel offering overnight stays, and every rooming house, tracking Virginia Code § 15.2-922. Alarms must be replaced when they fail testing and can never stay in service more than 10 years from their manufacture date. In multi-family buildings the owner must repair a malfunctioning detector within five days of written tenant notice.
Stafford County Smoke Alarm Requirements
Some RestrictionsStafford County Code § 12-62 (Fire Prevention Code §§ 907.9, 907.9.3(c))
907.9. Smoke alarms in existing buildings and structures. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 15.2-922, smoke alarms shall be installed and maintained in (i) any building containing one or more dwelling units, (ii) any hotel or motel used or offered for, or intended to be used to provide overnight sleeping accommodations for one or more persons, and (iii) rooming houses used, offered, or intended to be...
Propane Storage
Stafford County's Fire Prevention Code fee table exempts residential propane storage under 500 gallons water capacity in aggregate from the annual LPG storage permit. Facilities storing more than 10 water gallons of LPG otherwise need a $200.00 annual permit from the fire marshal.
Stafford County Residential LPG Storage Limit
Light RestrictionsStafford County Code § 12-62, Table 107.2
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Facilities using, storing or handling more than 10 water gallons capacity of LPG with exception to single containers or aggregate quantity of less than 500 gallon water capacity for residential use. Annual $200.00
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