Frederick County Burning Laws
Always call the Emergency Communications Center at (540) 665-5645 BEFORE & AFTER Burning.
Open burning for the cooking of food or recreational purposes, such as campfires (no greater than 3 feet wide and 3 feet high) are permitted. As described below, only approved materials can be used (#1 & 5) and safety precautions (#6) shall be followed.
1) Burning of brush, leaves, grass, trees, and other naturally occurring material are permitted.
2) The location of the burn shall not be less than 500
feet from ANY occupied building unless prior
approval from occupant has been given in writing.
3) Burning within 500 feet of any woodland or
brush- land is also not permitted.
4) Burning conducted by businesses or for
commercial purposes require a permit issued by the
Fire Marshal's Office.
5) Burning of household garbage, rubbish, rubber tires,
asphaltic materials, used oils, construction waste or
similar materials that produce dense smoke are
NOT permitted.
6) Open burning, bonfires, or recreational fires shall be
constantly attended until the fire extinguished. A
minimum of one portable fire extinguisher complying
with section 906 with a minimum 4 A rating or other
other approved on-site fire- extinguishing equipment
such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose, or
water truck, shall be available for immediate
utilization. (2006 IFC SEC. 307.5).
7) If smoke or fire produced from the burn becomes a
nuisance to surrounding residents or businesses,
and complaints are received, the party burning will
be required to extinguish the fire regardless, of
permit.
8) During the period from May 1st through the 14th of
February each year burning, shall be conducted
between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight.
9) During the period from February 15 through April 30
each year burning, shall be conducted between the
hours of 4:00 p.m. 12 midnight ONLY.
Contact Information
Mark Showers
Deputy Chief / Fire Marshal
1080 Coverstone Drive Winchester, VA 22602
Office: (540) 665-6350
Fax: (540) 678-4739
Inspection Schedule
International fire code
(2015) http://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/toc/2015/I-Codes/2015_IFC_HTML/index.html
(2012) http://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/toc/2012/2012%20Houston/IFC/index.html
Virginia fire code
(2012) http://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/toc/2015_IFC_HTML/index.html
(2015) http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/index.php/va-building-codes/building-and-fire- codes/regulations/virginia-state-building-codes-and-regulations-1996-present.html
The Town Stephens City has a Fire Marshal that operates within the town limits of Stephens City, VA.
Contact: Fire Marshal Steven Ritter 869-4576 extension 915
Asst Fire Marshal TJ Vaught 869-4576 extension 905
OFFICE OF FIRE MARSHAL
Town of Stephens City, VA Fire Code
STEPHENS CITY VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE COMPANY, INC.
VA Dept of Forestry - http://law.onecle.com/virginia/conservation/10.1-1142.html