Alexandria, VA Outdoor Cooking: BBQ & Propane Rules (2026)

Alexandria's fire code is the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFPC) adopted under Va. Code §27-94 et seq., which incorporates the 2018 International Fire Code (IFC) with Virginia amendments at 13VAC5-51. Enforcement is by the Alexandria Fire Department's Fire Marshal's Office. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices, charcoal burners, and other open-flame appliances on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction in any structure containing 3 or more dwelling units. Exceptions: one- and two-family dwellings; balconies served by an automatic sprinkler system (NFPA 13 or 13R); listed electric grills; and listed LP-gas grills with cylinders not exceeding 1 pound. This affects most of Alexandria's mid- and high-rise housing stock: Carlyle, Eisenhower Avenue, Old Town North, Potomac Yard, Del Ray multifamily, Beauregard Street, Landmark/Van Dorn, and West End apartment buildings. NFPA 58 (adopted via VSFPC) governs LP-gas cylinder storage: cylinders larger than 1 pound must be stored outdoors, upright, in a ventilated area, at least 5 feet from building openings. Garage and basement storage of propane cylinders is prohibited — a particular issue for the dense Old Town and Del Ray rowhouse stock where outdoor storage space is limited. At single-family homes (Beverley Hills, Rosemont, Del Ray rowhouses, Old Town freestanding houses, North Ridge, Seminary Hill, Clover-College Park), backyard grilling is unrestricted by Alexandria municipal code. Public grilling: Alexandria parks regulations restrict open fires in parks including Founders Park, Waterfront Park, Cameron Run Regional Park, Chinquapin Park, and Four Mile Run Park — check posted park rules and Title 6 of the Alexandria City Code (Health and Sanitation / Parks).