Richmond, VA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (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?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richmond
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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