Fairfax, VA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Fairfax, VA, also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance, set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Key Facts
- Fact
- 4 PM Burning Law applies February 15 through April 30 annually
- Fact
- No burning before 4 PM within 300 ft of woodland during fire season
- Fact
- VDOF may declare statewide emergency bans during drought
- Fact
- Open burning of yard waste prohibited year-round in city
- Fact
- Violations are Class 3 misdemeanors, fines up to 500 and suppression costs
Summary
The City of Fairfax follows Virginia's 4 PM Burning Law during spring fire season (February 15 through April 30), which prohibits open burning before 4 PM within 300 feet of woodland. The Virginia Department of Forestry may declare additional burn bans during drought. The City Fire Marshal may issue local bans during elevated fire danger or air quality alerts. All open burning of yard waste is already prohibited in the city.
§ 10.1-1142. Regulating the burning of woods, brush, etc.; penalties.
A. It shall be unlawful for any owner or lessee of land to set fire to, or to procure another to set fire to, any woods, brush, logs, leaves, grass, debris, or other inflammable material upon such land unless he previously has taken all reasonable care and precaution, by having cut and piled the same or carefully cleared around the same, to prevent the spread of such fire to lands other than those owned or leased by him. It shall also be unlawful for any employee of any such owner or lessee of land to set fire to or to procure another to set fire to any woods, brush, logs, leaves, grass, debris, or other inflammable material, upon such land unless he has taken similar precautions to prevent the spread of such fire to any other land.
B. Except as provided in subsection C, during the period February 15 through April 30 of each year, even though the precautions required by the foregoing subsection have been taken, it shall be unlawful, in any county or city or portion thereof organized for forest fire control under the direction of the State Forester, for any person to set fire to, or to procure another to set fire to, any brush, leaves, grass, debris or field containing dry grass or other inflammable material capable of spreading fire, located in or within 300 feet of any woodland, brushland, or field containing dry grass or other inflammable material, except between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight.
D. Any person who builds a fire in the open air, or uses a fire built by another in the open air, within 150 feet of any woodland, brushland or field containing dry grass or other inflammable material, shall totally extinguish the fire before leaving the area and shall not leave the fire unattended.
E. Any person violating any provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor for each separate offense.
Full Breakdown
1-1142 establishes the 4 PM Burning Law, prohibiting open-air burning between February 15 and April 30 between midnight and 4 PM when the fire is within 300 feet of any woodland, brushland, or field containing dry grass or combustible material. This iconic Virginia regulation addresses the spring fire season when humidity drops, winds pick up, and dry leaf litter from the previous autumn becomes highly flammable. Within the City of Fairfax, open burning of leaves, brush, and yard debris is already prohibited year-round by local ordinance, so the 4 PM law primarily affects recreational fires and any small agricultural activities in the city.
The Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) has statewide authority to declare emergency burn bans during drought, and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issues air quality action days when particulate levels are elevated. The City of Fairfax Fire Marshal may impose additional local restrictions based on local conditions, posting notices on the city website and through emergency alerts. Violations of the 4 PM law are Class 3 misdemeanors with fines up to 500 dollars, and persons responsible for escaped fires are liable for suppression costs. During burn bans, even gas grills may be restricted depending on the severity of fire danger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 4 PM law apply to my backyard fire pit?
How do I find out if a burn ban is in effect?
Are gas grills affected by burn bans?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fairfax
How Fairfax compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Fairfax to another location·View the Virginia fire regulations overview
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Outdoor Burning in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Fairfax County handle outdoor burning.