Albemarle County, VA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)

County Code § 6-301 makes it unlawful to transport, manufacture, store, sell, offer for sale, expose for sale, buy, use, ignite, possess, or explode any firecracker, torpedo, skyrocket, or other substance or device containing an explosive or inflammable compound commonly known as fireworks that explodes, rises into the air, travels laterally, or fires projectiles, other than sparks, unless excepted under § 6-302. Section 6-302 exempts narrow novelty items: fountains that do not throw sparks more than five meters, wheels with a flame radius under one meter, non-reloadable sparkling devices that do not explode, travel, or produce a continuous flame longer than 20 inches, and similar low-hazard novelties, plus railroad signal use and ceremonial blank cartridges.

Beyond those exceptions, § 6-303 requires anyone holding a fireworks display, or engaged in the sale, storage, distribution, manufacture, or display of fireworks anywhere in the county, to obtain a permit from the fire official and comply with all permit conditions before engaging in that activity. Section 6-304 requires applications at least ten days before the event, with an expedited-processing fee for late applications. Section 6-305 lets the fire official investigate and refuse a permit if not satisfied the display can proceed safely, and § 6-306 lets the fire official attach conditions covering the type of fireworks, display hours, required extinguishing equipment, and presence of trained firefighters and police.

Section 6-307 requires permittees to file proof of liability insurance or a bond, § 6-308 makes permits non-transferable, and § 6-310 separately bars selling, storing, displaying, manufacturing, possessing, or discharging any fireworks within 100 feet of a gasoline pump, propane distribution tank, or other flammable-liquid distribution apparatus, except inside a fully enclosed building where such sale or use is permitted.