City of Staunton
Home MenuFire Marshal's Office
J. Adam Dolan
Phone: 540.332.3720
Email the Fire Marshal
The Fire Marshal’s Office enforces city and state fire codes for residential and commercial structures and develops local fire safety codes for the protection of city residents. It also has the same police powers as a sheriff, police officer or law-enforcement officer; and oversees the investigation and prosecution of all offenses involving hazardous materials, fires, fire bombings, bombings, attempts or threats to commit such offenses, false alarms relating to such offenses, possession and manufacture of explosive devices, substances and fire bombs.
Responsibilities include:
- Granting various fire-related, operational and event permits
- Conducting building inspections
- Regulating open burning, fireworks, blasting, explosive storage and below ground tank removal
- Investigating fires, explosions and the release of hazardous materials in the city
Fire Watch
When a required fire protection system is out of service, the fire department and the fire marshal shall be notified immediately and, when required by the fire marshal, the building shall either be evacuated or an approved fire watch shall be provided for all occupants left unprotected by the shutdown until the fire protection system has been returned to service.
Where utilized, fire watches shall be provided with at least one approved means for notification of the fire department and their only duty shall be to perform constant patrols of the protected premises and keep watch for fires.
Use the link to the proper forms for establishing or terminating a fire watch:
Permits
The Fire Marshal’s Office issues the following permits, and permit fees are applied as specified in the city code.
- Burn Permit Application: For open burning in the City.
- Explosive Permit Application: For storage or use of explosives.
- Fireworks Sales Application: For the sale of permissible fireworks.
- Fireworks Display Application: For the display of permissible fireworks.
- Fire Prevention Activity Application: For other activities not listed but require a permit.
- Hazmat Storage Application: For the storage of hazardous materials.
- LP Gas or Flammable/Combustible Liquid Storage Permit Application: For the use and/or storage of LP Gas and Flammable/Combustible Liquids.
- Tank Removal or Abandonment Application: To remove or abandon in place a storage tank or to remove fuel oil, flammable and combustible liquids, gas, etc.
- Tent Permit Application: For tents and canopies greater than 400 square feet but less that 900 square feet.
Fire Inspections
Why is my structure being inspected?
The best way to fight fires is to prevent them before they start. Routine building inspections are one of the most effective ways to do that. The Fire Marshal, Deputy Fire Marshal and Assistant Fire Marshals inspect commercial buildings, businesses, restaurants, hotels, day care facilities, adult care facilities and other structures as requested.
We inspect your facility for several reasons:
- To identify and correct fire code violations
- To educate business and property owners about fire and life safety
- To reduce fire loss (lower insurance rates)
- To decrease demand on public emergency services by reducing fire and life safety risks
How can I prepare for my inspection?
Business owners and managers are encouraged to review their safety practices and seek advice on current fire codes before our inspector arrives. Check our list of common fire code violations and learn how to prepare for your inspection.
How often will my business be inspected?
You can expect an inspection at least every year. However, due to limited staff, the frequency of inspections can vary.
Complaints About Unsafe Conditions
If you have concerns or complaints about the possibility of unsafe conditions or fire code violations, an individual may email the Fire Marshal in the email link near the top of the page or email firemarshals@ci.staunton.va.us or by calling 540.332.3720, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; for nights and weekends, call 540.332.3884. Complaints may be anonymous or you may provide your contact information for status updates of the final findings. Typical information to include in your complaint:
- Name (if you wish)
- Phone number or email (if you wish)
- The address of where the alleged violation is occurring
- A detailed description of the alleged violation (photos are helpful)
- And if you’d like to be notified of the findings of the investigation once complete
For blasting complaints, please review the following information and use the provided form to report an alleged violation:
Some complaints may be forwarded to a different city department, i.e., Property Maintenance, Building Official or Police Department, depending of the nature of the complaint. Complaints forwarded to another city department will not be the responsibility of the Fire Marshal’s Office for follow up.
Public Records Requests
The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), located at § 2.2-3700 et seq. of the Code of Virginia, guarantees citizens of the Commonwealth and representatives of the media access to public records held by public bodies, public officials, and public employees.
For detailed info about public records maintained by the City of Staunton, FOIA exemptions, and how we process requests, view our FAQs.
Your FOIA Rights
You have the right to request to inspect or receive copies of public records, or both.
You have the right to request that any charges for the requested records be estimated in advance.
If you believe that your FOIA rights have been violated, you may file a petition in district or circuit court to compel compliance with FOIA. Alternatively, you may contact the FOIA Council for a nonbinding advisory opinion.
Click the link to review the City’s Public Records Request page:
https://www.ci.staunton.va.us/government/public-records-request
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