# What Are The Fireworks Laws Where You Live? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 28, 2018, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943 "2018-06-28T19:09:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943/21 "2018-06-29T04:25:24Z")
I live in one county with a total ban, and across the street from another county with no law atall apparently, so for this reason the first year I lived here my son and I went across the street to shoot off our bottle rockets and stay legal. However, this year that county has open flame restrictions in effect now, owing to hot dry conditions. There has been a notable reduction in fireworks noise from across the street and that area so far. Even the scofflaws on my side, who in years past shot things off with abandon, even though they’re ALL illegal here, seem to be pretty subdued. So far. My dog is happy. (Well, actually, I don’t even think he realizes. He’ll notice when the big ones go off; pro-level fireworks are okay.) Apparently one can still buy fireworks in that county, however. Not in my county. We used to see a lot of fireworks stands right across the line, on a few major streets. For some reason I haven’t been on those streets so I don’t even know, this year. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943/22 "2018-06-29T04:51:49Z")
Michigan: For years, anything that exploded or left the ground was illegal. Then, in 2012, they changed it to basically anything goes, as long as it’s a federal holiday or the day before or after. Tents start popping up to sell them in mid June. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943/23 "2018-06-29T05:18:54Z")
Restricted in California in general; illegal in my home town of Santa Rosa. Considering that a significant portion of the city burned down due to a wildfire less than a year ago, the reason why is fairly obvious. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943/24 "2018-06-29T05:27:09Z")
What Are The Fireworks Laws Where I Live? Ignored. PA has a senseless amount of conflicting laws between the State, County and local municipality and the usual differences between purchase, possession, and use. As a result everyone pretty much does as they please unless some cop shows up and tells them to stop. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943/25 "2018-06-29T05:48:42Z")
Skyrockets and crackers banned from public sale the others only available for a week or so before Guy Fawkes day. Gotta comemorate foiling that Papist plot after all. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943/26 "2018-06-29T07:24:00Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Restricted in California in general; illegal in my home town of Santa Rosa. Considering that a significant portion of the city burned down due to a wildfire less than a year ago, the reason why is fairly obvious. [Here’s a list](http://www.ca-fireworks.presskit247.com/content/content-article.asp?ArticleID=508) if cities where fireworks are permitted in California. Of course the fireworks have to be state approved. How do you know if they’re state approved? Well, how else? The fire marshal has [a list of each approved firework product by name](http://www.ca-fireworks.presskit247.com/EDocs/Site60/2017%20OSFM%20SAFE-SANE.pdf). So if you were wondering if the Poopy Pooch, manufactured by Phantom Fireworks Western Region LLC is legal, well let me see . . . yes, you’re in luck. Drive on down to Lawndale and get 'em while they last. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943/27 "2018-06-29T07:33:18Z")
This is Taiwan, so no restrictions. The biggest celebration is Chinese New Years, and the first year we lived here, our place was near a large park. It felt like we were in a war zone. Since we moved out of town, it’s better. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943/28 "2018-06-29T07:47:31Z")
In the UK, you must be over 18 to purchase, and even then fireworks are only available for general sale in the few days leading up to New Year, Diwali, Chinese New Year and Bonfire Night, except for year round specialist shops. You can’t let them off between 11pm and 7am, but there’s special extensions for the above days. Fireworks fall into different categories, with some designated as Category 4, Professional Fireworks, which aren’t for sale to the general public. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943/29 "2018-06-29T11:24:08Z")
In Maryland, unless you’ve got a permit, you’re not allowed to have anything that leaves the ground. Sparklers of certain types are allowed (and sold in grocery stores!) as are a few other ground-based things. I loved sparklers as a kid, but either they’ve changed or I mis-remember how great they were. Alas… ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943/30 "2018-06-29T13:27:56Z")
New York State allowed for their sale a few years ago, with restricted dates around the 4th of July and New Year’s. The selection was limited to “sparkling devices.” But it was left at the discretion of the towns and cities to allow it. Schenectady had them for a couple of years, but banned them this year because of complaints about the noise. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943/31 "2018-06-29T14:02:31Z")
Delaware prohibited all fireworks until this year. You can now have ground-based fireworks on the 4th and new years. Now, considering I grew up on an indian reservation famous for selling massive aerial fireworks to the public that could take down an airliner, it’s still pretty lame in my eyes, but it will make my kids VERY happy, and I’m happy about that. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943/32 "2018-06-29T15:42:29Z")
> [@CelticKnot](#): > > Laws? Laws! Who cares about laws? Yeah, around here people drive to Phantom Fireworks in Ohio and stock up. Lots of people shoot them off. If there are complaints, the police will drive by. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943/33 "2018-06-29T16:46:23Z")
No way no how. Town has also cancelled their fireworks show. Way to much fire danger. Had a hundred acre fire just a few miles from where I work 2 weeks ago. Another one started yesterday about 20 miles away. It’s now 300 acres. The smoke plume was incredible. It went up thousands and thousands of feet. Looked like a HUGE cumulous cloud/storm. I will personally confiscate your fireworks if I see you setting them off. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943/34 "2018-06-29T16:52:58Z")
In Norway fireworks are almost exclusively a New Years Eve thing. You can get special permits to set off fireworks at other times of the year, but I assume you have to go through specialist companies, as selling fireworks are only allowed between Christmas Eve and New Years Eve by licensed vendors. Summer nights are too light for fireworks anyway. Rockets where banned a few years ago because of the relatively higher risk of injuries. And it’s illegal to store any fireworks you failed to fire off on New Years eve, so there’s always a few stragglers celebrating new years day, even though it’s technically also illegal to set off anything after New Years Eve. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943/35 "2018-06-29T17:14:02Z")
Everything banned here, but 30 minutes away there is a small town with about one stand of “safe and sane”:rolleyes: per resident. So, of course idiots buy there and set off here, in a high fire risk area. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943/36 "2018-06-29T19:08:13Z")
South Dakota here. Buying them: South Dakota residents can only buy them from June 27 through July 5. Out-of-Staters can buy them year 'round if you can find a place that sells them year 'round. I don’t know of any that do off-hand. Shooting them: Only from June 27 through July 5. They passed a law that we could also do it between Christmas and New Years but I’ve never heard of anyone doing that. Most cities have an ordinance that you cannot shoot them within city limits. Every once in awhile, cities or counties will ban shooting them when it is exceptionally dry because of fire danger. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943/37 "2018-06-29T19:14:25Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Only “safe” fireworks are allowed in Arizona. Sparklers, snakes, pinwheels, ground spinners, etc. No aerial fireworks. Nothing that explodes. No bottle rockets, Roman candles, or firecrackers. You can buy the legal fireworks anywhere like Safeway or Wal-Mart. There are even roadside stands that pop up like weeds just before the Fourth of July. Some cities and counties may temporarily ban setting them off if the wildfire danger is too high, though. I want to add to this post. There are restrictions on when you can buy fireworks and when you’re allowed to use them. For the summer, fireworks can be purchased from May 20 to July 6 and used from June 24 to July 6. In the winter, they can be purchased from Dec. 10 to Jan. 3 and used from Dec. 24 to Jan. 3. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943/38 "2018-06-29T19:23:46Z")
I have lived in the northern San Francisco bay area my entire life, and can answer this for two of the four counties (Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano). Marin - don’t even think about them. Not even sparklers. This stems back to the 1970s, when Marin depended entirely on its reservoirs for its water, rather than getting at least some from Sierra Nevada mountain runoff like pretty much everybody else in northern California, so the drought of 1976 made everything so dry that a blanket ban on fireworks was put into effect to prevent one incident from starting a major fire. Between that and safety concerns, the ban was never lifted. Solano (eastern side of the bay) - I think the three smaller cities allow “safe and sane” fireworks, while the four big ones (Benicia, Fairfield, Vacaville, and Vallejo) have total bans, unless you consider “poppers” as fireworks; those are still allowed. The Napa Valley fires last year did not do the pro-fireworks types any favors. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943/39 "2018-06-29T20:06:57Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > I live in Missouri, whose fireworks laws are (or were, see below) rather complicated, but basically amount to “anything goes.” > > **Buying Them** > > All along various interstate highways throughout the Show-Me State are brick-and-mortar (heh) fireworks shops. Therein you can get everything from harmless little poppers on up to nuclear warheads. Used to be, unless it was x days before the 4th of July, Missouri residents couldn’t by them, where as out-of-state residents could buy all they want - and I got carded more than once. Nowadays I never get carded; I don’t know if the law has changed or if the stores I patronize have all just stopped giving a damn. > > I’m sure a Missouri Doper with some law knowledge will be along to sort things out. > > **Actually Launching Them** > > This will of course vary by jurisdiction. But in the little mining town in the middle of nowhere where I live, officially you can’t launch them in town. Unofficially, the cops will look the other way provided a) it’s either reasonably close to the 4th of July or it’s New Year’s Eve; and b) you’re not being an asshole about it. > > What are the fireworks laws where _you_ live? When I was growing up in the St Louis area, fireworks were illegal in St Louis County. We used to drive over to Alton IL to get our fireworks. 🙂 Where I live now (Lawrence KS) fireworks are legal in the county only for a day or two before and after the holiday. Things that go boom are illegal in the city but “kiddie” stuff (snakes, sparklers, smoke bombs, stuff that spins and whistles and shoots sparks) are OK. Fireworks stands are popping up all over just outside the city limits. By this time next week they’ll all be gone. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943/40 "2018-06-29T20:36:04Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Indiana laws… > > • Only people 18 and older can buy fireworks. > > • Someone 18 or older must be present when anyone younger than 18 is using or possessing fireworks. > > • Fireworks can only be used on the user’s property, the property of someone who granted permission for fireworks to be discharged or a place designated by the Indiana State Fire Marshal. > > • Fireworks may only be discharged from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. any day except on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and New Year’s Eve. On those holidays, discharge times are 9 a.m. to midnight. Ah, Indiana. When I was a kid, clear into college (early '80s) fireworks that exploded or flew were illegal. Sparklers, smoke bombs, and fountains were legal. Then, somehow, fireworks stores with the “good stuff” started popping up all over. However, they were still technically illegal to use in IN, so the stores made everyone sign papers saying they were taking the stuff out of state. I guess it didn’t matter the nearest legal state was Tennessee. Anyway, people all bought them and shot them off anyway. Cops didn’t care. They were finally legalized with the above restrictions in 2006. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-fireworks-laws-where-you-live/816943.md?page=3)