Outdoor burning rules in Suffolk, 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.
Suffolk prohibits open burning entirely from May through September, requires a Fire Marshal permit for debris burning, and bars burning within 300 feet of occupied buildings. Garbage, tires, and construction waste may never be burned.
Suffolk's open-burning ordinance (City Code Sec. 38-106 through 38-112) bans burning garbage, tires, petroleum materials, hazardous waste, and construction or demolition debris. Leaves and yard trimmings may be burned only on-site, at least 300 feet from any occupied building, and only where no collection service is available. Debris burning needs a Fire Marshal permit and must sit 500 feet from occupied buildings. Under Sec. 38-110(e), no open burning is allowed during May, June, July, August, or September. Virginia's 4 PM Law (VA Code Sec. 10.1-1142) also bars burning before 4 p.m. from February 15 to April 30.
Any open-burning violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor under Sec. 38-112, punishable by a fine up to $2,500 and up to 12 months in jail. Burning during an air-quality alert must stop immediately.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Suffolk's outdoor burning rules stack up against other locations.
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