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Richmond, VA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified April 2026

Key Facts

Consumer
Prohibited
Allowed
Sparklers, fountains only
State Law
VA Code 27-97
Penalty
Class 1 misdemeanor
Display Permit
Fire Marshal approval

Summary

Consumer fireworks are prohibited in Richmond. Although Virginia Code 27-97 allows localities to permit fireworks, Richmond City Code prohibits possession, sale, and discharge of fireworks without a permit issued by the Fire Marshal. Only sparklers, fountains, and pharaohs serpents are allowed.

The Fire Prevention Code shall prescribe regulations to be complied with for the protection of life and property from the hazards of fire or explosion and for the handling, storage, sale, and use of fireworks, explosives, or blasting agents, and shall provide for the administration and enforcement of such regulations. [...] The Fire Prevention Code shall prohibit any person, firm, or corporation from transporting, manufacturing, storing, selling, offering for sale, exposing for sale, or buying, using, igniting, or exploding any fireworks except for those persons, firms, or corporations that manufacture, store, market and distribute fireworks for the sole purpose of fireworks displays permitted by an enforcement agency or by any locality. The Fire Prevention Code shall supersede fire prevention regulations heretofore adopted by local governments or other political subdivisions. Local governments are hereby empowered to adopt fire prevention regulations that are more restrictive or more extensive in scope than the Fire Prevention Code [...]. The Fire Prevention Code shall prohibit any person not certified by the State Fire Marshal's Office as a fireworks operator or pyrotechnician to design, set up, or conduct or supervise the design, setup, or conducting of any fireworks display, either inside a building or structure or outdoors and shall require that at least one person holding a valid certification is present at the site where the fireworks display is being conducted.

Full Breakdown

Richmond City Code Chapter 16 prohibits fireworks in line with VA Code 27-97 which allows localities to restrict. Permissible items are limited to non-explosive, non-aerial devices such as sparklers and fountains. Aerial fireworks, firecrackers, Roman candles, bottle rockets, and M-80s are illegal. Public displays require a permit from the Richmond Fire Marshal with insurance and a licensed pyrotechnician.

Violations & Fines

Possession or discharge of prohibited fireworks is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to 2,500 dollars fine and up to 12 months in jail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are bottle rockets legal in Richmond?
No. Aerial fireworks including bottle rockets and Roman candles are prohibited citywide.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Richmond

All Richmond rules

How Richmond compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Compare Richmond to another location·View the Virginia fire regulations overview

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