Bozeman, MT Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)

Section 18.05.030 of the Bozeman Municipal Code sets the ordinance adopted by Ord. No. 2134 on May 2, 2023, which amended Article 5 in its entirety. Subsection A bars any individual, firm, partnership, corporation or association from possessing for sale, selling or offering for sale fireworks within the city limits. Subsections B and C bar discharge within the city limits, and within the county enclaves wholly surrounded by the city, without a permit under section 18.05.040. The code defines a county enclave as unincorporated property wholly surrounded by property within the city limits of Bozeman.

The definition of fireworks in section 18.05.010 is broad: any combustible or explosive composition or article prepared to produce a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation, including sky rockets, roman candles, firecrackers, torpedoes and sparklers of like construction. Section 18.05.020 exempts fireworks held or sold to a person with a valid state permit under MCA 50-37-107 and a fire chief permit for a supervised public display, railroad signal fireworks, certain blank cartridges, and sparklers described in American Pyrotechnics Association Standard 87-1.

The only route to lawful discharge is the public display permit in section 18.05.040. The application goes to the fire chief at least 15 days before the display, the fire chief or chief of police inspects the site first, and the display must be handled by a licensed, bonded pyrotechnic operator approved by the fire chief. A NO SMOKING warning must be posted within 50 feet of the staging and discharge area. Section 18.05.050 requires general liability insurance naming the city as an additional insured. Permits cannot be transferred and the fire chief can revoke one at any time.

Section 18.01.010 adds that the fire chief can include fireworks in a burn ban. Under section 18.05.060 any police officer or firefighter can seize fireworks offered for sale, sold or possessed in violation of the article, at the owner's expense.