Baltimore County, MD Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Frequency limit
- 3 discharges per year, per location
- Curfew
- No discharge after 11:00 p.m.
- Neighbor notice
- Certified mail, 21 days ahead, 1,500 ft.
- Rain date
- May reschedule to either of next 2 days
- Penalty
- Up to $250 first, $1,000 later violations
Summary
Beyond state fireworks law, Baltimore County Code Section 14-2-203 caps private displays at three times a year, bars discharges after 11 p.m., and requires certified-mail notice to every neighbor within 1,500 feet at least 21 days before a planned show.
(b)Subject to subsection (d) of this section, in addition to the limitations on displaying fireworks imposed by state law, a person may not discharge fireworks in the county:(1)More than three times in 1 year;(2)After 11:00 p.m.; and(3)At a location in the county where fireworks have been previously discharged three times during the same year.(C)Notice.(1)In addition to the requirements of subsection (b) of this section, a person may not discharge fireworks in the county without first giving notice to each property owner whose nearest property line is within 1,500 feet of the property line of the planned fireworks display via certified mail at least 21 days prior to the planned fireworks display.(e)Pyrotechnics. A person may not use pyrotechnics before a proximate audience in a building that is not equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system.(f)Penalty...a person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $250 for a first violation, and a fine not exceeding $1,000 for a second or subsequent violation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 29 | Zoning Regulations: Supplement 10).
Full Breakdown
Baltimore County Code Section 14-2-203 adds county-level limits on top of state fireworks law. , or at a location where fireworks have already been discharged three times that same year. Before any planned discharge, the person must give written notice, by certified mail, to every property owner whose nearest property line falls within 1,500 feet of the display site, at least 21 days ahead of time, stating the location, date, time, and estimated duration of the display. If a permitted display is rained out, it may be rescheduled to either of the following two days without counting as an extra use of the three-times limit.
The frequency and notice rules do not apply to a display on county-owned property held with county and state permission, and the notice requirement is separately waived for a publicly-attended display that already has a permit under county and state law. The section also separately regulates pyrotechnics used before a live audience, such as at concerts, barring their use in any building that lacks an approved automatic sprinkler system, a rule aimed at indoor and stage effects rather than backyard fireworks.
Violations & Fines
A person who violates Section 14-2-203, whether by exceeding the three-display annual limit, discharging after 11 p.m., or skipping the required 21-day certified-mail notice to nearby property owners, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $250 for a first violation and up to $1,000 for a second or later violation, enforced in addition to any other penalties available under the Fire Prevention Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times a year can I legally set off fireworks at my Baltimore County home?
Do I have to tell my neighbors before setting off fireworks?
What happens if my planned fireworks display gets rained out?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Baltimore County
How Baltimore County compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Compare Baltimore County to another location·View the Maryland fire regulations overview
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