The following is the current Burn Laws in Franklin County:
You cannot conduct any open burning before 9 am, and you cannot add fuel to the fire after 9 pm. The fire must be totally out by midnight. In addition, someone must remain with the fire at all times, and there must be a water source present. Refer to the Franklin County Code Section below.
Sec. 8-16. - Burning of leaves, trash and other waste material generally.
(a)Except as otherwise provided, it shall be unlawful for any person to burn any garbage, trash, refuse, rubbish or other waste material in the county within one hundred (100) feet of a residence, garage, stable, outhouse, other structure or fence made of flammable material, or in any wooded area, unless the material to be burned is confined in a closed container of galvanized iron or other fireproof material or in an open container attended by an able-bodied person until the embers therein contained are burned out or the burning embers are extinguished. At the site of any fire within the purview of this paragraph there shall be a garden hose connected to the water supply or other fire extinguishing equipment readily available for use.
(b)Leaves and brush originating on the premises of private residences may be burned on those premises; providing, that:
(c)No burning of garbage, trash, refuse, rubbish or other waste material or of leaves or brush permitted under this section shall be commenced, or if such burning has been commenced it shall be immediately terminated, upon the declaration of an alert warning or emergency stage of the air pollution episode, when proclaimed by the executive director of the state air pollution control board of his designated representative.
(d)A violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor.
(Ord. of 11-21-88)
Sec. 8-17. - Limitation on burning brush, leaves, etc., between February 15 and April 30 and in general.
(a)During the period beginning February fifteenth and ending April thirtieth of each year, it shall be unlawful for any person to set fire to brush, leaves, grass, debris or any field containing dry grass or other inflammable material capable of spreading fire located in or within three hundred (300) feet of any woodland or brushland, except between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight.
(b)When it is deemed necessary by the Franklin County Department of Public Safety, an open burning ban may be imposed on the entire county or sections of the county when conditions exist that would make open burning a threat to life or property, or nuisance as provided for in the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code, F-301.10, at anytime during the year.
(c)A violation of this section shall constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor.
(Ord. of 11-21-88; Ord. of 1-20-04)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 10-62.
You cannot conduct any open burning before 9 am, and you cannot add fuel to the fire after 9 pm. The fire must be totally out by midnight. In addition, someone must remain with the fire at all times, and there must be a water source present. Refer to the Franklin County Code Section below.
Sec. 8-16. - Burning of leaves, trash and other waste material generally.
(a)Except as otherwise provided, it shall be unlawful for any person to burn any garbage, trash, refuse, rubbish or other waste material in the county within one hundred (100) feet of a residence, garage, stable, outhouse, other structure or fence made of flammable material, or in any wooded area, unless the material to be burned is confined in a closed container of galvanized iron or other fireproof material or in an open container attended by an able-bodied person until the embers therein contained are burned out or the burning embers are extinguished. At the site of any fire within the purview of this paragraph there shall be a garden hose connected to the water supply or other fire extinguishing equipment readily available for use.
(b)Leaves and brush originating on the premises of private residences may be burned on those premises; providing, that:
- (1)Such burning is done between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight and all embers are totally extinguished at the end of this period.
- (2)No material is added to the fire between 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.
- (3)The location of burning is not less than one hundred (100) feet from any occupied building, unless the occupant has given prior written permission.
- (4)To minimize the possibility of contaminant emission from inadvertent fires, at no time shall the fire be unattended.
(c)No burning of garbage, trash, refuse, rubbish or other waste material or of leaves or brush permitted under this section shall be commenced, or if such burning has been commenced it shall be immediately terminated, upon the declaration of an alert warning or emergency stage of the air pollution episode, when proclaimed by the executive director of the state air pollution control board of his designated representative.
(d)A violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor.
(Ord. of 11-21-88)
Sec. 8-17. - Limitation on burning brush, leaves, etc., between February 15 and April 30 and in general.
(a)During the period beginning February fifteenth and ending April thirtieth of each year, it shall be unlawful for any person to set fire to brush, leaves, grass, debris or any field containing dry grass or other inflammable material capable of spreading fire located in or within three hundred (300) feet of any woodland or brushland, except between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight.
(b)When it is deemed necessary by the Franklin County Department of Public Safety, an open burning ban may be imposed on the entire county or sections of the county when conditions exist that would make open burning a threat to life or property, or nuisance as provided for in the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code, F-301.10, at anytime during the year.
(c)A violation of this section shall constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor.
(Ord. of 11-21-88; Ord. of 1-20-04)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 10-62.
