James City County, VA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)

Sec. 9-3(4) of the fire prevention code amendments makes it unlawful to transport, manufacture, assemble, store, sell, offer or display for sale, buy, use, possess, ignite or explode any fireworks in the county without a permit from the fire official. Organizations holding a public or private display permit must apply in writing describing the fireworks and the site, and a fire department member inspects the location before the fire official issues a permit for a stated time period; an authorized fire department member can halt and revoke a display on the spot if it departs from the approved application.

Under Sec. 00 per calendar year for repeated similar displays at the same site. 00 to cover damage from the display, with the property owner's written agreement to that amount before the permit issues. The fire marshal or any law enforcement officer may seize, at the owner's expense, any fireworks offered for sale, stored, possessed or held in violation of the section, and violating the fireworks provisions is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Novelty items exempted under the state fire code, including whirligigs and sparklers, remain flatly prohibited in the county regardless of any permit.