Henrico County, VA Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)

The Henrico County Fire Marshal's Office confirms that a chiminea or fire pit used on a patio needs no burn permit: stoves, incinerators and other controlled burning devices, which include patio fireplaces, fall outside the county's open-burning regulations, though the office still recommends running them per the manufacturer's instructions and keeping combustibles clear. 2: the fuel cannot be rubbish, cannot sit inside an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill or barbecue pit, and the fire itself cannot exceed 3 feet in diameter or 2 feet in height.

These fires are barred outright from May 1 through October 15 whenever the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has declared impaired air quality; residents can check burn-ban status with VDEQ at 1-800-592-5482. Location and supervision rules apply on top of the size cap: a recreational fire cannot be built within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material, and any conditions within that 25 feet that could let fire spread must be cleared before lighting. The fire must be constantly attended by someone who knows how to use extinguishing tools, and a garden hose, shovels, or a fire extinguisher rated at least 4-A must be on site and ready.

Open-flame cooking devices such as charcoal burners and gas grills carry a separate 10-foot clearance from combustible construction, waived for one- and two-family homes and buildings protected by an automatic sprinkler system.