{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/27-34.2_1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/27-34.2_1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/27-34.2_1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/27-34.2_1.html"}],"law_id":66294,"edition_id":1,"section_id":66294,"structure_id":15172,"section_number":"27-34.2:1","catch_line":"Police powers of fire marshals","history":"1977, c. 209; 1979, c. 446; 1984, c. 779; 1986, c. 60; 1988, c. 65; 2000, cc. 39, 390; 2023, cc. 215, 216.","full_text":"In addition to such other duties as may be prescribed by law, the local fire marshal and those assistants appointed pursuant to \u00a7 27-36 designated by the fire marshal shall, if authorized by the governing body of the county, city, or town appointing the local fire marshal, have the same police powers as a sheriff, police officer, or law-enforcement officer. 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, and possession and manufacture of explosive devices, substances, and fire bombs shall be the responsibility of the fire marshal or his designee, if authorized by the governing body of the county, city, or town appointing the local fire marshal. The police powers granted in this section shall not be exercised by any local fire marshal or assistant until such person has satisfactorily completed a basic law-enforcement course for fire marshals with police powers, and maintains satisfactory participation in in-service and advanced courses and programs, designed by the Department of Fire Programs in cooperation with the Department of Criminal Justice Services, which course shall be approved by the Virginia Fire Services Board.\n\t\tCurrent or prior certification as a law-enforcement officer, who retired or resigned from his position as a law-enforcement officer in good standing, may satisfy the police powers training requirements upon successful review to determine equivalency by the Department of Fire Programs in cooperation with the Department of Criminal Justice Services.\n\t\tIn addition, fire marshals with police powers shall continue to exercise those powers only upon satisfactory participation in in-service and advanced courses and programs designed by the Department of Fire Programs in cooperation with the Department of Criminal Justice Services, which courses shall be approved by the Virginia Fire Services Board.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":240746,"text":"In addition to such other duties as may be prescribed by law, the local fire marshal and those assistants appointed pursuant to \u00a7 27-36 designated by the fire marshal shall, if authorized by the governing body of the county, city, or town appointing the local fire marshal, have the same police powers as a sheriff, police officer, or law-enforcement officer. 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, and possession and manufacture of explosive devices, substances, and fire bombs shall be the responsibility of the fire marshal or his designee, if authorized by the governing body of the county, city, or town appointing the local fire marshal. The police powers granted in this section shall not be exercised by any local fire marshal or assistant until such person has satisfactorily completed a basic law-enforcement course for fire marshals with police powers, and maintains satisfactory participation in in-service and advanced courses and programs, designed by the Department of Fire Programs in cooperation with the Department of Criminal Justice Services, which course shall be approved by the Virginia Fire Services Board.\n\t\tCurrent or prior certification as a law-enforcement officer, who retired or resigned from his position as a law-enforcement officer in good standing, may satisfy the police powers training requirements upon successful review to determine equivalency by the Department of Fire Programs in cooperation with the Department of Criminal Justice Services.\n\t\tIn addition, fire marshals with police powers shall continue to exercise those powers only upon satisfactory participation in in-service and advanced courses and programs designed by the Department of Fire Programs in cooperation with the Department of Criminal Justice Services, which courses shall be approved by the Virginia Fire Services Board.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":15172,"edition_id":1,"name":"Local Fire Marshals","identifier":"3","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13504,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:52:41","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:52:41","permalink":{"id":190183,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15172,"identifier":"3","token":"27\/3","url":"\/27\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13504,"edition_id":1,"name":"Fire Protection","identifier":"27","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:05","permalink":{"id":189965,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13504,"identifier":"27","token":"27","url":"\/27\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":69739,"structure_id":15172,"section_number":"27-30","catch_line":"Appointment of fire marshal","url":"\/27-30\/","token":"27\/3\/27-30","metadata":false},{"id":58177,"structure_id":15172,"section_number":"27-31","catch_line":"Investigation of fires and explosions","url":"\/27-31\/","token":"27\/3\/27-31","metadata":false},{"id":66318,"structure_id":15172,"section_number":"27-32","catch_line":"Summoning witnesses and taking evidence","url":"\/27-32\/","token":"27\/3\/27-32","metadata":false},{"id":65417,"structure_id":15172,"section_number":"27-32.1","catch_line":"Right of entry to investigate cause of fire or explosion","url":"\/27-32.1\/","token":"27\/3\/27-32.1","metadata":false},{"id":70646,"structure_id":15172,"section_number":"27-32.2","catch_line":"Issuance of fire investigation warrant","url":"\/27-32.2\/","token":"27\/3\/27-32.2","metadata":false},{"id":57781,"structure_id":15172,"section_number":"27-33","catch_line":"Report of investigation","url":"\/27-33\/","token":"27\/3\/27-33","metadata":false},{"id":63090,"structure_id":15172,"section_number":"27-34","catch_line":"Duties and powers at fires","url":"\/27-34\/","token":"27\/3\/27-34","metadata":false},{"id":77843,"structure_id":15172,"section_number":"27-34.1","catch_line":"Power of fire marshal or fire chief to take property found at scene of fire or explosion; restitution of such property","url":"\/27-34.1\/","token":"27\/3\/27-34.1","metadata":false},{"id":73497,"structure_id":15172,"section_number":"27-34.2","catch_line":"Power to arrest, to procure and serve warrants and to issue summons; limitation on authority","url":"\/27-34.2\/","token":"27\/3\/27-34.2","metadata":false},{"id":66294,"structure_id":15172,"section_number":"27-34.2:1","catch_line":"Police powers of fire marshals","url":"\/27-34.2_1\/","token":"27\/3\/27-34.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":78703,"structure_id":15172,"section_number":"27-34.3","catch_line":"Power to order immediate compliance with law, etc., or prohibit use of building or equipment","url":"\/27-34.3\/","token":"27\/3\/27-34.3","metadata":false},{"id":63484,"structure_id":15172,"section_number":"27-34.4","catch_line":"Inspection and review of plans of buildings under construction","url":"\/27-34.4\/","token":"27\/3\/27-34.4","metadata":false},{"id":84379,"structure_id":15172,"section_number":"27-35","catch_line":"Penalty for failure to discharge duty","url":"\/27-35\/","token":"27\/3\/27-35","metadata":false},{"id":83809,"structure_id":15172,"section_number":"27-36","catch_line":"Appointment, powers and duties of assistant fire marshals","url":"\/27-36\/","token":"27\/3\/27-36","metadata":false},{"id":87151,"structure_id":15172,"section_number":"27-37","catch_line":"Oath of fire marshal and assistants","url":"\/27-37\/","token":"27\/3\/27-37","metadata":false},{"id":84739,"structure_id":15172,"section_number":"27-37.1","catch_line":"Right of entry to investigate releases of hazardous material, hazardous waste, or regulated substances","url":"\/27-37.1\/","token":"27\/3\/27-37.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":73497,"structure_id":15172,"section_number":"27-34.2","catch_line":"Power to arrest, to procure and serve warrants and to issue summons; limitation on authority","url":"\/27-34.2\/","token":"27\/3\/27-34.2","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":78703,"structure_id":15172,"section_number":"27-34.3","catch_line":"Power to order immediate compliance with law, etc., or prohibit use of building or equipment","url":"\/27-34.3\/","token":"27\/3\/27-34.3","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/27-34.2:1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1977. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 209 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1977 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1979, chapter 446; in 1984, chapter 779; in 1986, chapter 60; in 1988, chapter 65; in 2000, chapters 39<\/a> and 390<\/a>; in 2023, chapters 215<\/a> and 216<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":80457,"section_number":"18.2-283.2","catch_line":"Carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, into a building owned or leased by the Commonwealth, etc.; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-283.2\/"},{"id":79946,"section_number":"18.2-31","catch_line":"Aggravated murder defined; punishment","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-31\/"},{"id":75915,"section_number":"18.2-371.4","catch_line":"Prohibiting the sale of novelty lighters to juveniles","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-371.4\/"},{"id":64628,"section_number":"18.2-57","catch_line":"Assault and battery; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-57\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":83809,"section_number":"27-36","catch_line":"Appointment, powers and duties of assistant fire marshals","order_by":null,"url":"\/27-36\/"}],"permalink":{"id":190221,"object_type":"law","relational_id":66294,"identifier":"27-34.2:1","token":"27\/3\/27-34.2_1","url":"\/27-34.2_1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/27-34.2_1\/","token":"27\/3\/27-34.2_1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Police powers of fire marshals","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 27-34.2:1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

In addition to such other duties as may be prescribed by law<\/span>, the local fire marshal and those assistants appointed pursuant to \u00a7 27-36<\/a> designated by the fire marshal shall, if authorized by the governing body of the county, city, or town appointing the local fire marshal, have the same police powers as a sheriff, police officer, or law<\/span>-enforcement officer. The investigation and prosecution<\/span> of all offenses<\/span> involving hazardous materials<\/span>, fires, fire bombings, bombings, attempts or threats to commit such offenses<\/span>, false alarms relating to such offenses<\/span>, and possession<\/span> and manufacture of explosive devices, substances, and fire bombs shall be the responsibility of the fire marshal or his designee, if authorized by the governing body of the county, city, or town appointing the local fire marshal. The police powers granted in this section shall not be exercised by any local fire marshal or assistant until such person has satisfactorily completed a basic law<\/span>-enforcement course for fire marshals with police powers, and maintains satisfactory participation in in-service and advanced courses and programs, designed by the Department of Fire Programs in cooperation with the Department of Criminal Justice Services, which course shall be approved by the Virginia Fire Services Board.\n\t\tCurrent or prior certification as a law<\/span>-enforcement officer, who retired or resigned from his position as a law<\/span>-enforcement officer in good standing, may satisfy the police powers training requirements upon successful review to determine equivalency by the Department of Fire Programs in cooperation with the Department of Criminal Justice Services.\n\t\tIn addition, fire marshals with police powers shall continue to exercise those powers only upon satisfactory participation in in-service and advanced courses and programs designed by the Department of Fire Programs in cooperation with the Department of Criminal Justice Services, which courses shall be approved by the Virginia Fire Services Board.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPOLICE POWERS OF FIRE MARSHALS (\u00a7 27-34.2:1)\n\nIn addition to such other duties as may be prescribed by law, the local fire\nmarshal and those assistants appointed pursuant to \u00a7 27-36 designated by the\nfire marshal shall, if authorized by the governing body of the county, city, or\ntown appointing the local fire marshal, have the same police powers as a\nsheriff, police officer, or law-enforcement officer. The investigation and\nprosecution of all offenses involving hazardous materials, fires, fire bombings,\nbombings, attempts or threats to commit such offenses, false alarms relating to\nsuch offenses, and possession and manufacture of explosive devices, substances,\nand fire bombs shall be the responsibility of the fire marshal or his designee,\nif authorized by the governing body of the county, city, or town appointing the\nlocal fire marshal. The police powers granted in this section shall not be\nexercised by any local fire marshal or assistant until such person has\nsatisfactorily completed a basic law-enforcement course for fire marshals with\npolice powers, and maintains satisfactory participation in in-service and\nadvanced courses and programs, designed by the Department of Fire Programs in\ncooperation with the Department of Criminal Justice Services, which course shall\nbe approved by the Virginia Fire Services Board.\n\t\tCurrent or prior certification as a law-enforcement officer, who retired or\nresigned from his position as a law-enforcement officer in good standing, may\nsatisfy the police powers training requirements upon successful review to\ndetermine equivalency by the Department of Fire Programs in cooperation with the\nDepartment of Criminal Justice Services.\n\t\tIn addition, fire marshals with police powers shall continue to exercise those\npowers only upon satisfactory participation in in-service and advanced courses\nand programs designed by the Department of Fire Programs in cooperation with the\nDepartment of Criminal Justice Services, which courses shall be approved by the\nVirginia Fire Services Board.\n\nHISTORY: 1977, c. 209; 1979, c. 446; 1984, c. 779; 1986, c. 60; 1988, c. 65;\n2000, cc. 39, 390; 2023, cc. 215, 216.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}