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

Richmond'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. Enforcement is by the Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services 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. Many Richmond mid- and high-rise buildings — downtown Manchester conversions, Scott's Addition warehouse-to-residential conversions, VCU-area multifamily, Carytown apartments, and Fan multifamily conversions — fall under this rule. 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. At single-family homes (very common in the Fan rowhouses, Church Hill, the West End, Northside), backyard grilling is unrestricted by Richmond municipal code. Public grilling: Richmond City Code park regulations restrict open fires in Maymont, Byrd Park, Bryan Park, James River Park, and Forest Hill Park; check the park-specific rules. Wood-fired pizza ovens at residential properties are not restricted at single-family but draw IFC §308 scrutiny in multifamily.