Burn bans in Virginia
Virginia's 4 PM Burning Law (Code of Virginia §10.1-1142) applies each year from February 15 through April 30. During those months, it is illegal to burn any brush, leaves, grass, or debris before 4:00 PM within 300 feet of woodlands, brushlands, or fields containing dry grass or other flammable material. Local jurisdictions may impose additional restrictions.
Statewide, within 300 feet of woodlands, brushlands, or dry grass. Localities may enact stricter rules.
Restricted hours: 00:00 – 16:00 local time
All counties in Virginia
| county | Status | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Accomack | No Restrictions | — |
| Albemarle | No Restrictions | — |
| Alexandria | No Restrictions | — |
| Alleghany | No Restrictions | — |
| Amelia | No Restrictions | — |
| Amherst | No Restrictions | — |
| Appomattox | No Restrictions | — |
| Arlington | No Restrictions | — |
| Augusta | No Restrictions | — |
| Bath | No Restrictions | — |
| Bedford | No Restrictions | — |
| Bland | No Restrictions | — |
| Botetourt | No Restrictions | — |
| Bristol | No Restrictions | — |
| Brunswick | No Restrictions | — |
| Buchanan | No Restrictions | — |
| Buckingham | No Restrictions | — |
| Buena Vista | No Restrictions | — |
| Campbell | No Restrictions | — |
| Caroline | No Restrictions | — |
| Carroll | No Restrictions | — |
| Charles City | No Restrictions | — |
| Charlotte | No Restrictions | — |
| Charlottesville | No Restrictions | — |
| Chesapeake | No Restrictions | — |
| Chesterfield | No Restrictions | — |
| Clarke | No Restrictions | — |
| Colonial Heights | No Restrictions | — |
| Covington | No Restrictions | — |
| Craig | No Restrictions | — |
| Culpeper | No Restrictions | — |
| Cumberland | No Restrictions | — |
| Danville | No Restrictions | — |
| Dickenson | No Restrictions | — |
| Dinwiddie | No Restrictions | — |
| Emporia | No Restrictions | — |
| Essex | No Restrictions | — |
| Fairfax | No Restrictions | — |
| Fairfax | No Restrictions | — |
| Falls Church | No Restrictions | — |
| Fauquier | No Restrictions | — |
| Floyd | No Restrictions | — |
| Fluvanna | No Restrictions | — |
| Franklin | No Restrictions | — |
| Franklin | No Restrictions | — |
| Frederick | No Restrictions | — |
| Fredericksburg | No Restrictions | — |
| Galax | No Restrictions | — |
| Giles | No Restrictions | — |
| Gloucester | No Restrictions | — |
| Goochland | No Restrictions | — |
| Grayson | No Restrictions | — |
| Greene | No Restrictions | — |
| Greensville | No Restrictions | — |
| Halifax | No Restrictions | — |
| Hampton | No Restrictions | — |
| Hanover | No Restrictions | — |
| Harrisonburg | No Restrictions | — |
| Henrico | No Restrictions | — |
| Henry | No Restrictions | — |
| Highland | No Restrictions | — |
| Hopewell | No Restrictions | — |
| Isle of Wight | No Restrictions | — |
| James City | No Restrictions | — |
| King and Queen | No Restrictions | — |
| King George | No Restrictions | — |
| King William | No Restrictions | — |
| Lancaster | No Restrictions | — |
| Lee | No Restrictions | — |
| Lexington | No Restrictions | — |
| Loudoun | No Restrictions | — |
| Louisa | No Restrictions | — |
| Lunenburg | No Restrictions | — |
| Lynchburg | No Restrictions | — |
| Madison | No Restrictions | — |
| Manassas | No Restrictions | — |
| Manassas Park | No Restrictions | — |
| Martinsville | No Restrictions | — |
| Mathews | No Restrictions | — |
| Mecklenburg | No Restrictions | — |
| Middlesex | No Restrictions | — |
| Montgomery | No Restrictions | — |
| Nelson | No Restrictions | — |
| New Kent | No Restrictions | — |
| Newport News | No Restrictions | — |
| Norfolk | No Restrictions | — |
| Northampton | No Restrictions | — |
| Northumberland | No Restrictions | — |
| Norton | No Restrictions | — |
| Nottoway | No Restrictions | — |
| Orange | No Restrictions | — |
| Page | No Restrictions | — |
| Patrick | No Restrictions | — |
| Petersburg | No Restrictions | — |
| Pittsylvania | No Restrictions | — |
| Poquoson | No Restrictions | — |
| Portsmouth | No Restrictions | — |
| Powhatan | No Restrictions | — |
| Prince Edward | No Restrictions | — |
| Prince George | No Restrictions | — |
| Prince William | No Restrictions | — |
| Pulaski | No Restrictions | — |
| Radford | No Restrictions | — |
| Rappahannock | No Restrictions | — |
| Richmond | No Restrictions | — |
| Richmond | No Restrictions | — |
| Roanoke | No Restrictions | — |
| Roanoke | No Restrictions | — |
| Rockbridge | No Restrictions | — |
| Rockingham | No Restrictions | — |
| Russell | No Restrictions | — |
| Salem | No Restrictions | — |
| Scott | No Restrictions | — |
| Shenandoah | No Restrictions | — |
| Smyth | No Restrictions | — |
| Southampton | No Restrictions | — |
| Spotsylvania | No Restrictions | — |
| Stafford | No Restrictions | — |
| Staunton | No Restrictions | — |
| Suffolk | No Restrictions | — |
| Surry | No Restrictions | — |
| Sussex | No Restrictions | — |
| Tazewell | No Restrictions | — |
| Virginia Beach | No Restrictions | — |
| Warren | No Restrictions | — |
| Washington | No Restrictions | — |
| Waynesboro | No Restrictions | — |
| Westmoreland | No Restrictions | — |
| Williamsburg | No Restrictions | — |
| Winchester | No Restrictions | — |
| Wise | No Restrictions | — |
| Wythe | No Restrictions | — |
| York | No Restrictions | — |
How Virginia decides
- The law only applies February 15 – April 30 each year — outside that window, standard rules apply.
- The restriction is a time-of-day rule (nothing before 4 PM), not a full ban.
- The 300-foot rule matters: burning further from woodlands or dry vegetation may be permitted.
- Local governments — especially in incorporated cities and towns — often add stricter rules.
Penalties in Virginia
Violating the 4 PM Burning Law is a Class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500. If the fire escapes and damages another's property, the burner is also liable for suppression costs and property damage.
Classification: Class 3 misdemeanor · Maximum fine: up to $500
Common questions about Virginia burn bans
Is there a burn ban in Virginia right now?
No county-level burn ban is currently reported by Virginia Department of Forestry for Virginia. The statewide DEC seasonal rule may still restrict burning during certain windows. Municipal rules within a county may still apply.
How does Virginia issue a burn ban?
Virginia's 4 PM Burning Law (Code of Virginia §10.1-1142) applies each year from February 15 through April 30. During those months, it is illegal to burn any brush, leaves, grass, or debris before 4:00 PM within 300 feet of woodlands, brushlands, or fields containing dry grass or other flammable material. Local jurisdictions may impose additional restrictions.
When is the Virginia burning restriction in effect?
February 15 through April 30, between 12:00 AM and 4:00 PM local time. Today the rule is not in effect.
What are the penalties for violating a burn ban in Virginia?
Violating the 4 PM Burning Law is a Class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500. If the fire escapes and damages another's property, the burner is also liable for suppression costs and property damage.
burnbanradar reports the counties-level orders as published by Virginia Department of Forestry. Municipal ordinances may impose stricter rules. When Virginia Department of Forestry does not list a county, that does not mean no ban exists — verify with the county office. The published order governs.