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Henrico County, VA Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Wildfire hazard zones
None mapped in Henrico
4 PM Burning Law
Feb 15-Apr 30, near woodland
Allowed window
4 p.m. to midnight only
Woodland buffer
Within 300 feet
Drought
Fire chief may ban all burning

Summary

Henrico County maps no wildfire hazard or WUI zones. Instead, Virginia's '4 PM Burning Law' bars outdoor fires within 300 feet of woodland before 4 p.m. during Feb 15-Apr 30, and the fire chief can declare countywide drought burn bans.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Henrico County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

During the period February 15 through April 30... it shall be unlawful... for any person to set fire to... any brush, leaves, grass, debris or field containing dry grass or other inflammable material 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.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

Unlike Western states, Henrico designates no wildfire hazard severity zones. Brush-fire risk is managed through two tools: Va. Code § 10.1-1142, the '4 PM Burning Law,' which makes it unlawful from Feb 15 to Apr 30 to burn within 300 feet of woodland, brushland, or dry-grass fields except between 4:00 p.m. and midnight; and § 11-19, which lets the fire chief prohibit all open burning during declared drought or extraordinary fire-hazard conditions. Henrico's spring leaf-burning hours (§ 11-17) mirror the state 4 p.m. restriction.

Violations & Fines

Violating the 4 PM law is a Class 3 misdemeanor under Va. Code § 10.1-1142; burning during a county drought ban is unlawful under § 11-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Henrico have wildfire zones like California?
No. Virginia does not map wildfire severity zones here. Fire risk is managed through the state 4 PM burning law and county drought burn bans.
When can I burn near woods in spring?
From Feb 15 to Apr 30, burning within 300 feet of woodland is unlawful except between 4:00 p.m. and midnight under Va. Code § 10.1-1142.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Henrico County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsFire Pits & Backyard FiresSome RestrictionsFireworksSome RestrictionsBrush ClearanceSome RestrictionsOutdoor BurningSome RestrictionsSmoke DetectorsSome RestrictionsPropane StorageSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome Restrictions

All Henrico County rules

Compare Henrico County to another location·View the Virginia fire regulations overview

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