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Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office

Protecting Virginia Through Fire Safety & Regulation

View Fee Schedule Obtain a Permit

Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office

The mission of the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is to promote fire safety across the Commonwealth of Virginia by educating citizens and visitors about fire hazards and prevention techniques. 
  • Our team identifies and addresses factors that increase fire risks through comprehensive programs aimed at reducing those risks.   
  • We ensure compliance with the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC) through education and progressive enforcement activities, including fire prevention inspections of various facilities, inspection of construction projects in state facilities, and investigation of complaints. 
  • Our office provides technical assistance to local building and fire officials, analyzes fire incidents to identify necessary code changes, and administers programs to regulate explosives, fireworks and fire-safe cigarettes.  

With 29 personnel based in Glen Allen and seven regional offices, the SFMO serves the entire commonwealth. However, many of Virginia’s larger urban localities have their own local fire official. Questions or complaints in those localities should be directed to the local fire official

2025 Fee Schedule for Virginia State Fire Marshal's Office

  • Category Application Received More Than 15 Days Prior to Event  Additional Fee for Each Consecutive Day  Application Received Less Than 15 Day Prior, But More Than 7 Days Prior to The Event  Additional Fee for Each Consecutive Day  Application Received Less Than 7 Days Prior to The Event  Additional Fee for Each Consecutive Day 
    Aerial Fireworks $250 $150 $550 $150 $650 $150
    Proximity Pyrotechnics  $350 $150 $550 $150 $650 $150
    Flame with Pyrotechnics*  $150 $125 $200 $100 $300 $125
    Flame Effects with No Pyrotechnics  $300 $200 $550 $200 $650 $150

    *Fee is in addition to the fee levied for either aerial fireworks or close proximity pyrotechnics.

  • Type 

    Application Received More Than 15 Days Prior to Event 

    Application Received Less Than 15 Day Prior, But More Than 7 Days Prior to The Event 

    Application Received Less Than 7 Days Prior to The Event 

    Small Bonfire 

    $50  

    $100  

    $150  

    Large Bonfire 

    $150  

    $300  

    $450  

    "Small Bonfire" pile is more than 2 feet in height, but not more than 9 feet in diameter and not more than 6 feet in height.
    "Large Bonfire" pile is more than 9 feet in diameter and more than 6 feet in height.

  • Type 

    Fee 

    Manufacturing Permit (including manufacture of fireworks) 

    $250  

    Sales Permit (wholesale and retail) 

    $200  

    Storage Permit (per magazine-per location) 

    $150  

    Use Permit (per city, county or town) 

    $250  

  • Occupant Load  Fee
    100 or Less $350
    101 to 200 $450
    201 to 300 $500
    Increments of 50 Occupants Over 300 $500 Plus $50 For Each Increment of 50 Occupants Over 300 
  • Square Footage 

    Fee 

    3,500 ft2 or Less 

    $150  

    3,500 ft2 to 7,000 ft 

    $200  

    7000 ft2 to 10,000 ft2 

    $250  

    Increments of 3,000 ft2 above 10,000 ft2 

    $250 Plus $50 For Each Increment of 3,000 ft2 above 10,000 ft2 

  • Square Footage 

    Fee 

    10,000 ft² or Less if Within or 
    Attached to Dormitory 

    $50  

    10,000 to 25,000 ft² if Within or 
    Attached to Dormitory 

    $100  

    25,000 ft² or less if Assembly is in 
    Separate Building 

    $100  

    25,001 ft² or Greater Whether or Not Attached or Separate From Dormitory Building 

    $150  

  • Number of Beds 

    Fee 

    1 – 50 

    $300  

    51 – 100  

    $400  

    101 – 150  

    $500  

    151 – 200  

    $600  

    Increments of 100 Beds Above 200 
    Beds 

    $600.00 Plus $100.00 For Each 
    Increment of 110 Beds Above 200 
    Beds 

  • Licensed Capacity 

    Fee 

    1 – 8  

    $50  

    9 – 20  

    $75  

    21 – 50  

    $100  

    51 – 100  

    $200  

    101 – 150  

    $300  

    151 – 200 

    $400  

    201 or More 

    $500 (Exception Fee Not to Exceed $2,500 Annually for Same Site) 

  • First Visit 

    All Subsequent Visits 

    $0  

    $51 Per Hour Per SFMO Staff Member 

Review and Obtain a Permit

The SFMO is responsible for the issuing permits and inspections for the following. 

Excavation site with rocky, uneven ground and several bright yellow funnels inserted vertically into the soil. The funnels are evenly spaced and may be used for soil sampling or material injection. In the background, stacked black mats—likely rubber or fabric—are arranged for ground protection or stabilization. The scene suggests active geological or construction work.

Blasting Permit

Obtain a blasting permit and view regulations to guarantee safety and compliance. 

Three wooden crates and one has a sticker that reads Danger High Explosives

Explosives 

Explosives Permits & Regulations for Virginia Statewide Fire Code Compliance and Enforcement.

A person in a light-colored long-sleeve shirt inspects a row of fire extinguishers labeled "Dry Chemical Powder." They hold a clipboard with a checklist and use a tool to check the pressure gauge. Red wall-mounted cabinets and a white column are visible in the background, emphasizing the safety inspection setting.

Fire Inspections

Request a fire inspection to help ensure your property meets all fire safety standards.

State Fire Marshal walks toward actively igniting fireworks arranged on a grassy area. Soccer ball-shaped and cylindrical fireworks emit sparks and smoke, with vehicles and trailers in the background suggesting a controlled demonstration or inspection.

Fireworks, Pyrotechnics and Flame Effects

View requirements and obtain a permit for fireworks, pyrotechnics, bonfires and flame effects. Includes certified pyrotechnicians and fireworks list.

Close-up of a ceiling-mounted fire sprinkler head with a red liquid-filled glass bulb at its center, designed to burst at high temperatures. A circular deflector plate sits below the bulb to disperse water evenly when activated. The background is softly blurred, showing a sunlit room with windows.

Annual Operating Permit

View regulations and obtain permits required for nightclubs, private dormitories, hospitals, and facilities licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services to meet safety and compliance standards.

Interior of a compact food truck kitchen with two workers in red shirts and black aprons. The person in the foreground, wearing a backward black cap, cooks on a flat-top grill surrounded by utensils and ingredients. In the background, another worker prepares food at a counter. Stainless steel surfaces, shelves with supplies, and overhead ventilation create a busy, organized cooking environment.

Mobile Food Cart Preparation Vehicles

Apply for an annual permit and request an inspection for your Mobile Food Cart Preparation Vehicle to ensure safety compliance and operational standards across Virginia food service operations statewide.

Close-up of a hand holding a lit cigarette with a visible ash tip. Smoke rises and curls into the air against a blurred background of dark green foliage.

Reduced Cigarette Ignition Prosperity (RCIP)

Access and register for the Reduced Cigarette Ignition Prosperity (RCIP) for the Commonwealth of Virginia.  

Codes & Standards

The SFMO ensures compliance with the following established codes and standards below in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Contacts Regional Offices

 Office 

 Contact 

 Title 

 Email  

Phone 

Headquarters 

Troy Bower 

Assistant State Fire Marshal (Special Operations) 

troy.bower@vdfp.virginia.gov  

(804) 840-3523 

Headquarters 

Joshua Davis 

Assistant State Fire Marshal (Field Operations) 

joshua.davis@vdfp.virginia.gov  

(804) 396-0525 

Central Region 

Robert Parker 

Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal 

robert.parker@vdfp.virginia.gov   

(540) 270-2219 

Eastern Region 

Joseph "Rusty" Chase 

Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal 

rusty.chase@vdfp.virginia.gov  

(757) 406-0512 

Western Region 

Michael Yingling 

Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal 

michael.yingling@vdfp.virginia.gov  

(276) 791-9899 

Contact Us

For questions or to submit reports, please contact statefiremarshal@vdfp.virginia.gov.