Fire Regulations in District of Columbia (2026)

6 rules on the books across District of Columbia, 1 city or county. Select a rule to read the full details.

Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions

Fireworks

Which types of consumer fireworks are legal, when they can be used, and the fines for setting off illegal fireworks.

Washington DC bans every exploding and aerial firework. Only ground-based novelties, sparklers under 20 inches…

Anyone who stores or sells fireworks in Washington, D.C. must hold a business license, with retail dealers paying $100…

Rules for open flames outdoors including bonfires, yard waste burning, and cooking fires. Some cities ban all outdoor burning year-round.

Open fires are prohibited across the District of Columbia under the air quality regulations, with narrow exceptions for…

The District bans kindling any bonfire or combustible pile in streets, alleys, open ground, or lots between sunset and…

Requirements for smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in homes, including how many you need and where they must be installed.

In Washington, D.C., owners of every dwelling unit, hotel, motel, hospital, nursing home, and residential-custodial…

Limits on size and location of residential propane tanks, including setback distances from buildings, property lines, and ignition sources.

The DC Fire Code requires an LP-gas permit for every permanent propane installation regardless of tank size, and for…