Open-air burning can resume in Virginia soon as summer ban expires

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Open-air burning will be permitted under normal conditions in Virginia starting Oct. 1.

In accordance to standards set by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), regulations surrounding open-air burning in Virginia depend on the time of year.

Here’s how it works:

• Feb. 15 to April 30: Spring burning law is in effect, banning open-air burns before 4 p.m. and after midnight
• May 1 to Sept. 30: Open-air burning is prohibited entirely
• Oct. 1 to Feb. 14: Open-air burning is permitted under normal conditions

In less than a week, Virginians can resume permitted, lawful open-air burns under normal conditions. They will be able to do so until Feb. 14, 2025.

“Open burning/permitted burning does not excuse you from consequences associated with damages or injuries,” said Chesterfield County Fire & EMS on its page on open burning and other permits .

For Chesterfield residents, an open burn permit application can be filed online . A resident can obtain a permit for bonfires, land-clearing/property maintenance and tree/garden trimmings. Further details on restrictions, fees and special permissions can be found online .

“Fires shall be constantly attended by a competent person until extinguished and no longer smoldering,” Chesterfield fire officials said, referring to all open-air burns. “The attendee shall provide adequate fire extinguishing equipment to control and or extinguish the fire should it start to spread.”

Open-air burns like campfires, warming fires, fire pits and burn barrels don’t require a permit in Chesterfield — as long as the person doing the burning follows these requirements:

• The pile must be 25 feet or more away from any structure or combustible materials
• The pile must not be larger than 3 feet wide, 2 feet tall and 3 feet deep.
• The pile must only contain clean wood or firewood to be used as fuel.

Leaf burning has its own regulations in Chesterfield. If you are in a permitted part of the county , you can burn leaves on your own property twice a year:

• March 15 – April 15: Mondays through Thursdays, from 4 p.m. to midnight
• Nov. 15 – Dec. 15: Mondays at 8 a.m. through Fridays at noon

Finally, Chesterfield officials state that the following materials cannot be included in an open burn:

• Building and/or demolition material
• Household/commercial trash or refuse
• Paper, used lumber or trade waste
• Rubber tires, asphaltic material, crankcase oil, impregnated wood or similar materials
• Toxic or hazardous materials or containers for such materials

For more information on open-air burning laws in Chesterfield, visit the county’s website .

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