Where Virginia Fireworks Are Legal, Banned In 2017

(Updated 11:54 a.m. Thursday) VIENNA, VA — The Fourth of July is just around the corner and fireworks stands are beginning to pop up around Virginia. You can purchase fireworks in Fairfax County and in Arlington County, but not in the City of Alexandria. In Virginia Beach, the city bans sparklers and fireworks displays on the beach.

Depending on where you live and where you will be celebrating the July 4th holiday, there are different rules on what you can buy and what you can use. Virginia law allows use of sparklers, fountains, Pharaoh's serpents, caps for pistols, or pinwheels, but localities can ban them entirely. In some local jurisdictions, the sale and use of fireworks — even sparklers — is prohibited.

Penalties range from hefty fines to jail time, so when you are planning your July 4th backyard barbeque, be careful where you buy fireworks and make sure you can use them.

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Here’s what you need to know, based on information from each jurisdiction’s website (click on each jurisdiction to find more detailed information):

Arlington County

It is legal to sell certain types of fireworks, such a sparklers, in Arlington. However, Arlington County law prohibits the use or sale of “fireworks that are projectiles, explode, emit flames or sparks to a distance greater than twelve (12) feet.”

Arlington has compiled an extensive list of permissible items ranging from the “Flashing Wheel” to “Pyro Combustion”. See the full list of permissible items here.

City of Alexandria
It is illegal for anyone to store, offer or expose for sale, sell at retail or explode any fireworks—including sparklers—within Alexandria’s city limits. Violations of the fireworks law are punishable by fines up to $2,500 and up to a year in prison.

City of Falls Church

The use of all fireworks is banned in Falls Church. Additionally, the sale of fireworks, explosives or any explosive materials is prohibited within the City of Falls Church.

Fairfax County

The use and sale of certain fireworks is permitted in Fairfax County, but the County Fire Marshal closely regulates what can be sold or used and who can sell them.

The sale of approved fireworks is permitted only by those vendors who have an approved Fire Prevention Code Permit from the County Fire Marshal.

Permissible fireworks, and the use of such fireworks, must meet the following stipulations:

• Shall be approved by the Fairfax County Fire Marshal
• Shall not explode.
• Shall not move or perform as a projectile.
• Shall not emit flame or sparks to a distance greater than 5 meters (16.4 feet).
• Shall not be thrown or placed on any surface or article where it can cause an unwanted fire.
• Shall not be used on private property without the approval of the property owner.
• Shall not be sold or stored on the property of another without the express written permission of the property owner.
• Shall not be sold to persons under the age of 18 unless the person is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• Shall not be used or ignited inside, under, or within 50 feet from any structure.
• Shall not be used or ignited within 100 feet of tents or membrane structures.
• Shall not be used or ignited within 300 feet of all fireworks retail sales locations including fireworks stands.
• Smoking shall be prohibited inside or within 50 feet of fireworks retail sales areas including fireworks stands.
• Smoking shall be prohibited within 25 feet of all permissible (consumer) fireworks located outside.
• Use of permissible fireworks for any purpose other than the approved and intended use shall be prohibited.
• Fireworks shall be used in accordance with manufacturers' instructions/directions.
• Fireworks shall be used in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions/direction.

Fairfax has compiled an extensive list of permissible items ranging from the “Flash Ray Gun” to “Missile War.” See the full list of permissible items here.

City of Fredericksburg

Use of sparklers, fountains, Pharaoh's serpents and pinwheels is legal on private property. Others are banned without a permit from the Fire Marshal.

Loudoun County

Fireworks such as sparklers and ground based fountains are legal to possess and
use on private property. Fireworks are legal when purchased from a Fire Marshall-approved seller. See the full list of permissible items here.

City of Manassas

Permissible fireworks must meet the following requirements:

• Shall be approved by the City of Manassas Fire Marshal
• Shall not explode.
• Shall not move or perform as a projectile.
• Shall not emit flame or sparks to a distance greater than 5 meters (16.4 feet).
• Shall not be thrown or placed on any surface or article where it can cause an
• unwanted fire.
• Shall not be used on private property without the approval of the property owner.
• Shall not be sold or stored on the property of another without the express written
• permission of the property owner.
• Shall not be sold to persons under the age of 18 unless the person is accompanied
• by a parent or legal guardian.
• Shall not be used or ignited inside, under, or within 50 feet from any structure.
• Shall not be used or ignited within 100 feet of tents or membrane structures.
• Shall not be used or ignited within 300 feet of all fireworks retail sales locations
• including fireworks stands.
• Smoking shall be prohibited inside or within 50 feet of fireworks retail sales areas
• including fireworks stands.
• Smoking shall be prohibited within 25 feet of all permissible (consumer) fireworks
• located outside.
• Use of permissible fireworks for any purpose other than the approved and intended
• use shall be prohibited.
• Fireworks shall be used in accordance with manufacturers' instructions/directions.

City of Manassas Park

According to the city code, approved fireworks include sparklers, fountains, pharaoh's serpents, caps for pistols, pinwheels and others approved by the Fire Marshal. Fireworks resembling firecrackers, cherry bombs, Roman candles, torpedoes or skyrockets or those projecting over 12 feet are not allowed.

City of Newport News

Fireworks are banned without a permit.

City of Norfolk

Fireworks, including sparklers, pinwheels, fountains and pharaoh serpents are banned without a permit.

Prince William County

All fireworks sold at Fire Marshal-approved stands are legal. Possessing or using illegal fireworks is punishable by a fine up to $2,500 or up to one year in jail. See a list of permissible items here.

City of Portsmouth

Fireworks are banned without a permit.

City of Richmond

The city bans use of fireworks without a permit. Violations of the fireworks law are punishable by fines up to $2,500 and up to a year in prison.

City of Virginia Beach

Fireworks, including sparklers, are banned without a permit in Virginia Beach. The city no longer allows permits for fireworks displays on the beach.

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