According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, early settlers to the United States “brought their love of fireworks with them to the New World” and celebrated the first Independence Day with them.
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, the Fireworks for Freedom Act, H.R. 8593 even aims to temporarily waive certain federal and state laws governing public fireworks displays through 2026, while preserving local authority to ensure all communities celebrate with fireworks.
Review the fireworks regulations for your state with the fireworks laws by state map from the World Population Review. Discover the state that bans the sale of all consumer fireworks or the states regulating consumer fireworks at the county level. The map color codes each state by the type of fireworks laws in that state; these fall into four categories: most consumer fireworks permitted, non-aerial and non-explosive fireworks permitted, fireworks regulated at the county level and all consumer fireworks banned.
Download our at-a-glance guide to fireworks regulations by state for a quick reference to each state’s current consumer fireworks laws.
According to the World Population Review, “many states allow the sale and use of most types of consumer fireworks, including aerial and explosive devices, subject to general safety regulations. These states typically permit items such as Roman candles, rockets, and multi-shot aerial fireworks that produce visible bursts in the air.”
These states include:
Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and West Virginia
Several states regulate legal fireworks at the county level.
These states include:
Hawaii, Nevada and Wyoming
Some states restrict the use of aerial or explosive devices, permitting ground-based fireworks like sparkling devices and fountains.
These states include:
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Consult the American Pyrotechnic Association for a complete directory of state laws for consumer fireworks, as well as state requirements for public fireworks displays.
The American Pyrotechnic Association includes details, like the age of purchase allowed by each state. In North Dakota, for example, the state allows those 12 years of age and older to purchase consumer fireworks. In Montana, however, the state sets the minimum age at 18.
Other details included for most states include:
Fireworks enforcement grows more difficult as state laws, county ordinances and local regulations increasingly overlap. For regulatory agencies in western states, for example, complexity increases during wildfire season, when changing conditions alter what state and local governments allow. Bend, Oregon, for example, prohibits the sale, possession, and use of fireworks within city limits, while allowing certain permitted public displays. Communities like Bend respond to wildfire risk and public safety concerns with stricter local restrictions, public reporting channels, and detailed enforcement processes. In Boulder, Colorado, the city prohibits the discharge of fireworks and instead features a drone light show; city officials explained the change due to “increased fire danger fueled by climate change” along with better alignment with the city’s Sustainability, Equity and Resilience Framework.
Modern regulatory systems help state government agencies manage fireworks enforcement, fireworks safety and related oversight. With GL Solutions, agencies streamline permitting, licensing, inspections, case management, and public reporting in one configurable system.
The Nevada State Fire Marshal regulates professions related to the fireworks industry. Some of the license applicants the Nevada State Fire Marshal certifies include indoor stage, outdoor aerial, special effects, pyro assistant, magician and champagne sparkler presentation. The agency transitioned from a 100% manual system to a fully automated system; learn more in our client use case: Nevada State Fire Marshal on Going Paperless.
Renee Moseley joined GL Solutions in 2016 with an educational and professional background in research and writing, along with software documentation. At GL Solutions she produces informative content to help regulatory agencies stay current on news and information that supports their success.
