Albemarle County, VA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

County Code § 6-404 prohibits open burning or use of a special incineration device for disposal of refuse generally, and specifically bars burning garbage, trash, rubbish, household waste, hazardous waste, rubber tires, asphaltic materials, crankcase oil, and commercial or industrial waste, or burning for a salvage operation, except as the article otherwise allows. The Fire Marshal can order any open burning extinguished when it creates a hazardous situation, a nuisance, or lacks a required permit. Section 6-406 then carves out permissible burning types. Residential open burning of leaves and yard or garden trimmings from the same property is allowed without a permit if it stays on the premises, at least 300 feet from any neighboring occupied building (or 50 feet from other buildings on the same lot), is conducted at the greatest practical distance from roads, is preceded and followed by notification to the Fire Official through the County Emergency Communications Center, is constantly attended by an adult 18 or older, and has a 4-A rated fire extinguisher or equivalent on hand.

Recreational fires such as campfires and cooking fires need no permit or notice if fueled only by seasoned dry firewood, kept at least 25 feet from any structure, and never used for waste disposal. Bonfires up to 25 square feet and five feet tall need Fire Official notification (not a permit) and must stay under three hours and 50 feet from structures. , and a blackout on burning between February 15 and April 30 each year. No more than three land-clearing permits may issue per parcel per year.