Explosives, Fireworks, and Pyrotechnics

An operational permit is required for the manufacture, storage, handling, sale or use of any quantity of explosive, explosive materials, fireworks, pyrotechnic special effects, or pyrotechnic special effects material within the scope of Chapter 56.

Exception: Storage in Group R-3 or R-5 occupancies of smokeless propellant, black powder and small arms primers for personal use, not for resale, and in accordance with the quantity limitations and conditions set forth in Section 5601.1, exception numbers four and twelve.

An operational permit is required for the following:

1. To use or operate a pipeline for the transportation within facilities of ,flammable or combustible liquids. This requirement shall not apply to the offsite transportation in pipelines regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOTn) nor does it apply to piping systems.
2. To store, handle or use Class 1 liquids in excess of 5 gallons (19 L) in a building or in excess of 10 gallons (37.9 L) outside of a building, except that a permit is not required for the following:
   1. The storage or use of Class 1 liquids in the fuel tank of a motor vehicle, aircraft, motorboat, mobile power plant or mobile heating plant, unless such storage, in the opinion of the fire Marshal, would cause an unsafe condition.
   2. The storage or use of paints, oils, varnishes, or similar flammable mixtures when such liquids are stored for maintenance, painting or similar purposes for a period of not more than 30 days.
3. To store, handle or use Class II or Class IIIA liquids in excess of 25 gallons (95 L) in a building or in excess of 60 gallons (227 L) outside a building, except for fuel oil used in connection with oil-burning equipment.
4. To remove class 1 or Class 2 liquids from an underground storage tank used for fueling motor vehicles by any means other than the approved, stationary on-site pumps normally used for dispensing purposes.
5. To operate tank vehicles, equipment, tanks, plants, terminals, wells, fuel-dispensing stations, refineries, distilleries and similar facilities where flammable and combustible liquids are produced, processed, transported, stored, dispensed or used.
6. To install, alter, remove, abandoned, place temporarily out of service (for more than 90 days) or otherwise dispose of an underground, protected above- ground or above-ground flammable or combustible liquid tank.
7. To change the type of content stored in a flammable or combustible liquid tank to a material that poses a greater hazard than that for which the tank was designed and constructed.
8. To manufacture, process, blend or refine flammable or combustible liquids.

An operational permit is required for the kindling or maintaining of an open fire or a fire on any public street, alley, road or other public or private ground. Instructions and stipulations of the permit shall be adhered to.

Click here to learn more about Open Burning Guidelines to determine if a permit is necessary.

Exception: Recreational fires

An operational permit is required to use open flames or candles in connection with assembly areas, dining areas of restaurants or drinking establishments.

An operational permit is required to operate a place of assembly (greater than 50 persons).

The Albemarle County Fire Marshal’s Office conducts annual fire safety inspections to make sure mobile food operations follow fire and life safety codes.

What counts as a mobile food preparation vehicle?

Mobile Food Preparation Vehicles include food trucks and enclosed trailers that are occupied during cooking and contain equipment that creates open flames, smoke, or grease-laden vapors. This includes:

• Vehicles using propane or other fuel sources

• Vehicles using All-electric cooking appliances but still produce smoke or grease vapors

Requirements to operate in Albemarle County

Mobile food vendors must have:

• A valid Albemarle County business license

• Zoning clearance if operating from a stationary location

• A current health inspection from the Virginia Department of Health

• A passed an annual fire safety inspection in the jurisdiction where the unit is legally registered

There is no fee for food truck fire inspections in Albemarle County.

If your food truck is registered in another locality

Your fire inspection must be completed where your unit is registered.
If that locality does not have a Fire Marshal’s Office, inspections must be completed by the Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Operating at special events in Albemarle County

Vendors permitted in another jurisdiction may operate at special events if one of the following is provided:

• A current fire inspection form from the permitting jurisdiction, or

• A valid fire inspection sticker clearly visible on the unit

Examples: Day care, adult care, etc.

An operational permit is required to operate an air-supported temporary membrane structure or a tent.

Exceptions:

• Tents used exclusively for recreational camping purposes.
• Tents and air-supported structures that cover an area of 900 square feet (84 m2) or less, including all connecting areas or spaces with a common means of egress or entrance and with an occupant load of 50 or less persons.

Note: Permit good for 30 days with a maximum of 5 renewals (total of 180 days within a 12-month period allowed before tent must come down.