Birmingham, AL Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- State Code
- Code of Alabama sections 8-17-217, 8-17-222, 8-17-224
- City permit
- Birmingham City Code section 7-1-8 fire-official permit (7 days advance)
- Distance rule
- No ignition within 600 ft of church/hospital/school/enclosed building
- Penalty
- Class A misdemeanor ($100-$1,000 fine); felony for illegal salutes
Summary
Only Class C 'common' consumer fireworks are legal in Alabama, and Birmingham city code separately prohibits discharging firecrackers, skyrockets, roman candles, pinwheels, or other fireworks except under a permit issued through the city's fire prevention code. State law bars igniting fireworks within 600 feet of a church, hospital, school, or enclosed building, or within 200 feet of where fireworks are stored or sold.
It shall be unlawful to offer for sale or to sell any fireworks to children under the age of 16 years unless accompanied by an adult or to any intoxicated or irresponsible person... It shall be unlawful to explode or ignite fireworks within 600 feet of any church, hospital, asylum, public school, any enclosed building, or within 200 feet or where fireworks are stored, sold, or offered for sale. No person shall ignite or discharge any permissible articles of fireworks within or throw the same from a motor vehicle while within nor shall any person place or throw any ignited article of fireworks into or at such a motor vehicle, or at or near any person or group of people.
Full Breakdown
Fireworks in Alabama are governed by the Code of Alabama Title 8, Chapter 17, Article 8 (sections 8-17-210 through 8-17-226), administered by the State Fire Marshal. S. Department of Transportation; 'illegal ground salutes' (M-80s and similar devices exceeding the 2-grain limit) are a felony under section 8-17-218. Section 8-17-222 prohibits igniting fireworks within 600 feet of any church, hospital, asylum, public school, or enclosed building, within 200 feet of where fireworks are stored or sold, and prohibits throwing fireworks from or into a motor vehicle or at any person.
' Birmingham uses that authority: the city code prohibits the use of firecrackers, skyrockets, roman candles, pinwheels, or other fireworks except under a permit issued by the fire marshal pursuant to the city's fire prevention code, and Birmingham City Code section 7-1-8 requires a fire-official permit (applied for at least seven days in advance) for any public demonstration, special event, or exhibit using Class B or Class C explosives or fireworks, open flames, or pyrotechnics.
Violations & Fines
A violation of the state fireworks article (other than section 8-17-218 illegal explosives) is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $100 to $1,000 or 30 days to one year imprisonment, or both. Manufacturing, possessing, or selling illegal 'ground salute' fireworks under section 8-17-218 is a Class C felony ($500 to $5,000 fine and/or one to ten years). Using fireworks in Birmingham without the required city fire-official permit violates Birmingham City Code section 7-1-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are consumer fireworks legal in Birmingham?
How close to a building can I set off fireworks?
Do I need a permit for a fireworks show in Birmingham?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Birmingham
How Birmingham compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Compare Birmingham to another location·View the Alabama fire regulations overview
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Fireworks in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jefferson County handle fireworks.