Burning Regulations

Burning RegulationsA Burn Permit is Required for the following:

  • For recognized silvicultural, range, or wildlife management practices
  • For prevention control of disease or pests
  • For a bonfire
A bonfire is a larger outdoor fire used for ceremonial purposes such as a pep rally, holiday, or camp celebration. The Fire Prevention Code provides additional regulations for bonfires in order to ensure fire safety. Applications for a Burn Permit are also subject to the regulations of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Department of Forestry.

A recreational fire may be enjoyed outdoors for cooking, leisure, ceremonial, or religious activities. The fire must be contained in an outdoor fireplace, barbecue pit, grill, or approved outdoor fireplace. The size of the fire must be no larger than 3 feet wide by 2 feet high. Natural gas, propane, charcoal, or clean dry wood are examples of acceptable fuel for cooking and recreational fires.


Rules to follow when burning a recreational fire:

  • Keep fire 25 feet away from structures or combustible material
  • Make sure that someone is constantly in attendance at the fire
  • Keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose, water bucket, sand or water truck on-site
  • Only used approved and commercially available fire pits constructed of non-combustible materials.

Open Burning Hours
Open burning is permitted between the hours of 4 p.m. and midnight from Feb. 15 - April 30 each year.

Prohibited Open Burning:

  • when the fire is offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor emissions
  • when atmospheric or local circumstances make fires hazardous
The fire department can extinguish a fire if it creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation.

Do NOT Burn the following items:

  • Rubbish
  • Tires
  • Treated Lumber
  • Particle Board
  • Railroad Ties
  • Plastics
  • Flammable liquids
  • Foam
  • Rubber

get notified Stay up-to-date on what is happening by. . . .